Rule of Law Lab
The Rule of Law Lab is a non-partisan institute which studies and deploys legal tools—legal research, documentation, litigation, and advocacy—in close collaboration with local practitioners and academics to protect democracy and the rule of law around the world.
Democracy is in crisis worldwide.
Autocracy is rising
72% of the world’s population are living in autocracies in 2025.
Rule of law is declining
78% of countries experienced a decline in the rule of law between 2016-2023.
–World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2023 Insights
We defend four core elements of democracy and the rule of law.
The Rule of Law Lab focuses on defending four core elements of democracy and the rule of law.
We are global in focus and local in approach.
While our mandate is global in scope, we focus our work in countries where local partners indicate that the Lab’s sustained attention adds value.
We conduct rigorous research and apply legal tools to protect democracy.
There is a significant need for a principled, nonpartisan response to counter democratic regression. The Lab protects democracy and the rule of law through three legal tactics:
Learning across national boundaries
We generate and disseminate transnational research on the defense of democracy and the rule of law.
Developing and deploying legal tools
We develop legal tools and deploy strategies in collaboration with local legal practitioners and academics in defense of democracy and the rule of law.
Building bridges between academia and practice
We engage students in hands-on experiential learning using legal tools to defend democracy and the rule of law.
Recent Impact
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You empower students working with the Rule of Law Lab and position the Law School community to address society's most urgent issues.
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