Rule of Law

Transparency of the Legal System by TJ Viljoen

Rule of Law cannot exist without a transparent legal system, the main components of which are a clear set of laws that are freely and easily accessible to all, strong enforcement structures, and an independent judiciary to protect citizens against the arbitrary use of power by the state, individuals or any other organization.

In some countries the average citizen, businesses trying to operate in those countries, and even practicing lawyers have limited access to laws or legal decisions. Recognising this challenge, LexisNexis has pioneered to compile a collection of legal resources for disadvantaged countries across the globe. In the Pacific, we regularly offer resources to disadvantaged communities in times of need such as in the recent Queensland floods, the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires and to various South Pacific nations by offering complimentary access to our service or by updating laws and making them publicly available.

LexisNexis also publishes educational and evocative works to enrich public understanding of the Rule of Law such as Cases That Changed our Lives and Human Rights: Treaties, Statutes and Cases.

"The provision of accessible, accurate legal materials is an essential element in ensuring those practicing and studying the law are informed correctly on legal principles, thus enabling them to learn and advise on what is correct legal action", Robin Creyke, Professor- Alumni Chair of Administrative Law, Australian National University in regards to the role LexisNexis plays in upholding the Rule of Law through its resource and workflow solutions.

Advancing the Rule of Law around the World

The rule of law is a concept that unifies our company across the globe and is passionately supported by the people of LexisNexis.

We’re committed to actively working to advance the rule of law, through our day-to-day business, products and services, and actions as a corporate citizen by:

  • Providing products and services that enable customers to excel in the practice and business of law, and that help justice systems, governments, and business to function more effectively, efficiently, and transparently;
  • Building legal infrastructures for developing nations;
  • Documenting local, national, and international laws and making them accessible in print and online to individuals and professionals in the public and private sector;
  • Partnering with governments and non-profit organisations to help make justice systems more efficient, transparent and advance the rule of law;
  • Supporting access to justice by corporate citizenship initiatives that strengthen civil society and the rule of law across the globe, including pro bono.

Community Contribution

As part of a regional commitment to the rule of law, LexisNexis Asia Pacific has implemented a program of support that enables local communities and developing nations to gain access to materials and guidelines, essential to the proper administration of justice and advancement of society.

Fiji Law Reports

The Judicial Department of Fiji selected LexisNexis as their publisher for the authorised 2012 volume of Fiji Law Reports enabling legal practitioners in Fiji to excel in the practice and business of law and assist the judiciary, governments and businesses to function more effectively, efficiently and transparently. Read more Back to top



Practical Guidance: Slave Free Seas

Slave Free Seas provides legal assistance for victims — and promotes prosecution where possible — along with programs to raise public awareness of the problem, research into the extent of human trafficking around the world, and advocacy for legislative change.

LexisNexis has worked with Slave Free Seas to produce a publicly-available, free resource to assist those helping victims to seek justice, in any jurisdiction around the world, and to encourage the legal pursuit of those who try to profit from human trafficking. Read more Back to top



Lexis Visualfiles for Vanuatu

Vanuatu Ministry of Justice selected LexisNexis as their preferred supplier for workflow and process automation, following a request for tender process. LexisNexis will implement a Court Management system using Lexis Visualfiles to enable more efficiencies and productivity whilst addressing the rule of law. The project will include business analysis, project management, configuration, data migration and training to name a few.Back to top


Business for the Rule of Law

In October 2014, the pilot consultation workshop was held in Myanmar with top corporations, law firms, associations, intergovernmental organizations and the UN in attendance. In Early March, 2015 LexisNexis held a Pacific Consultation Workshop in Sydney with the critical purpose to ensure that the Pacific region is included in a global Framework that will ultimately take the form of a guide for all businesses in how they can support the rule of law.

The Pacific workshop was held with senior representatives of the legal communities, academics and NGOs. In collaboration with the local UN Global Compact Network Australia, the Workshop initiated and enabled dialogue about new ways to strengthen the rule of law in order to build stable and fair societies, where business can flourish, locally and within the Asia Pacific region. Read more Back to top



Transparency of the Legal System

"There can be no Rule of Law unless there is access to the basic sources of law."

— Theuns Vilijoen, CEO, LexisNexis Asia Pacific

 

Rule of Law cannot exist without a transparent legal system, the main components of which are a clear set of laws that are freely and easily accessible to all, strong enforcement structures, and an independent judiciary to protect citizens against the arbitrary use of power by the state, individuals or any other organisation. Read moreBack to top

Rule of Law | LexisNexis

Advancing the rule of law around the world is a concept that unifies our company across the globe and is passionately supported by the people of LexisNexis.

Advancing Together is free bi-annual publication that brings together views and insights from thought leaders in the legal sphere, delving into current affairs and developments that impact the advancement, and in some cases the erosion, of the rule of law in Asia Pacific.


"In March 2015, LexisNexis held a Pacific Consultation Workshop in Sydney with the critical purpose of ensuring that our region is included in a global framework. It will ultimately take the form of a guide for all businesses on how they can support the rule of law. In collaboration with the local United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the Workshop initiated and enabled dialogue related to new ways in which to strengthen the rule of law in order to build stable and fair societies, where business can flourish locally and within our region." Read more

— Jo Beckett, General Manager, Australia

 

"The Rule of Law is a fundamental driver for advanced societies, providing certainty and access to justice for individuals and corporations. Legal content and technology organisations interact on many levels to support the Rule of Law (local and global, online and print, free and commercial), connecting various stakeholders with authoritative content and rich data via a range of platforms and channels suited to the individual’s or organisation’s needs." Read more

— Marc Peter, Director of Sales and Marketing, UK

 

Download the latest issue ↓ Subscribe →

Download Previous Issues

Rule of Law - July 2014 | LexisNexis Asia-Pacific Advancing Together: Rule of Law Updates and Perspectives from Australia, July 2014 Rule of Law - December 2014 | LexisNexis Asia-Pacific Advancing Together: Rule of Law Updates and Perspectives from Australia, December 2014
Rule of Law - June 2013 | LexisNexis Asia-Pacific Advancing Together: Rule of Law Updates and Perspectives from Australia, June 2013 Rule of Law - December 2013 | LexisNexis Asia-Pacific Advancing Together: Rule of Law Updates and Perspectives from Australia, December 2013
Rule of Law - September 2012 | LexisNexis Asia-Pacific Advancing Together: Rule of Law Updates and Perspectives from Around the World, September 2012 Rule of Law - December 2012 | LexisNexis Asia-Pacific Advancing Together : Rule of Law Updates and Perspectives from Australia, December 2012
Products & Services
Support & Training
Media Centre
Get Involved
Careers
eStore