Legal and Judicial Development: The Role of Civil Society in the Reform Process

While many governments are undertaking reforms that aim to improve judicial and legal systems, there is a growing realization that civil society plays a vital and even necessary role in these efforts. Civil society is critical in these, as well as the reform efforts which are outside of government-initiated programs. Drawing on a few selected examples, this Paper aims to show why civil society is a key player in such reform activities and how civil society has participated in the reform process in selected countries. Specifically, many of these examples are supported by projects financed by the World Bank. The World Bank, as well as other international development institutions, has made legal and judicial development a priority in the development agenda and is continually seeking ways to work effectively with civil society