International Academy of Trial Lawyers Definition of the Rule of Law

For immediate release Contact: IATL Executive Office April 23, 2024

Academy's Definition of the Rule of Law

Minneapolis, MN - The International Academy of Trial Lawyers is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The Academy is dedicated to protecting and promoting the Rule of Law, and in furtherance of that mission, the Academy's Board of Directors has approved the adoption of the following definition of the Rule of Law:
The International Academy of Trial Lawyers steadfastly advocates for, and defends, the Rule of Law. In doing so, we refer to the principle that all persons, institutions, and entities (including corporations and governments in any form):
• are subject to law;
• have access to the protections of and rights established through the law regardless of economic means; and
• may have their or its actions challenged in, and may be held accountable before, a court of law.
This system requires that the legal profession operates independently and without interference from others, ensuring the greatest possible access to legal protections and remedies.
Further, we hold that to conform to the Rule of Law, laws must be:
• clearly defined, easily accessible and legally certain;
• established through a transparent process that is open to debate and discussion;
• prospective in nature;
• consistent with internationally recognized human rights principles;
• enforceable through a court of law where disputes are timely adjudicated by an independent and impartial judiciary, and may include decision-making by a group of impartial citizens, on the basis of evidence applied to established law, free from case-related bias or ethical conflicts; and
• impartially enforced by the state.
The Academy, chartered in 1954, is an organization of the best trial lawyers nominated and selected based on their demonstrated skill and ability in jury trials and other court proceedings. Membership in the U.S. is limited to 500 lawyers. The Academy promotes professional excellence, legal reforms, and integrity in the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.iatl.net.

IATL Executive Office
1935 County Road B2 West, Suite 165
Roseville, MN 55113

The Academy was founded in 1954 and is recognized as the most prestigious organization of trial lawyers in the world.

We are an international legal association both in spirit and membership. The Academy limits Fellowship to 500 active trial lawyers from the United States, and includes over 150 Fellows from nearly 40 countries across the globe.

Fellowship in the Academy is by invitation only. Trial lawyers become Fellows only after an extremely rigorous vetting process, which includes both peer and judicial review. The Academy seeks out Fellows who have achieved a career of excellence as shown by their skills in trial, and as demonstrated by their integrity and professionalism. Members are often heavily involved in pro bono efforts and generously contribute time and resources to their local communities.

This release was published on openPR.