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;
- timely adjudicated through a court of law by a judiciary that is independent and impartial, while also subject to meaningful accountability;
- adjudicated by judges or 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.