The Rule of Law as an organizing principle for a nation includes the following:
Laws are the foundation of a civilized society
In order for a nation to function in a civilized and effective way, there must be rules of conduct. All citizens are bound by these rules for the greater good. This principle is known as the Rule of Law and ensures that we are a nation of laws, not of men.
Fair, transparent and impartial adjudication
Legal disputes are resolved through a fair and impartial process. It ensures that judges are independent, unbiased, and free from external influence.
Accountability Under the Law
Everyone, including government officials, is accountable under the law. This ensures that no one is above the law and that all actions, public or private, are subject to legal scrutiny.
Equality before the law
All individuals, regardless of their status or position, are subject to the same laws and entitled to equal rights under the law.
Separation of Powers
The division of governmental powers into separate branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) is essential to prevent the concentration of power in one entity. Each branch of our government has distinct responsibilities and serves as a check on the others.
Our Latest Statements
Legal Ethics and the Independence of State Bar Investigations
By Ann Woolner for the Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law Lawyers know it’s not enough to please whoever employed them. Whether an individual, a corporation, a group or a government, the client must be zealously represented, to be sure. Just not too zealously....
Filming the State: How the Government Is Criminalizing the Right to Record
Public documentation of government action is a powerful tool of democratic accountability. From local weekly papers to 24/7 national broadcast networks, news about our government and its officers has always been necessary for an informed populace. But since the era of...
A Free Press Cannot Exist Under Threat of Government Retaliation
The founding fathers wanted to make sure that people and publishers could disagree with the King’s version of events without punishment or censorship. That’s why the First Amendment promises free speech and a free press. Government leaders who dislike a news story...
Ten Things Lawyers Can Agree On
- To protect their lives, liberty, and property, all Americans and their businesses and other organizations need access to independent courts where their disputes can be resolved peacefully based on the Rule of Law.
- The Rule of Law means that disputes are decided solely on the facts and the law — not on a litigant’s power, popularity, or wealth.
- Judges must be able to follow the Rule of Law without fear of or favoritism toward the litigants involved–even when one of the litigants is the government or a government official.
- A litigant that loses its case in court is entitled to criticize the ruling and to appeal if an appeal is available–but it cannot defy the ruling.
- Courts are a separate branch of government and not aligned with any political party.
- Spreading lies or distortions about the factual or legal grounds for a judge’s decision undermines the Rule of Law, particularly when the intent or effect is to intimidate judges.
- Threats, violence, or “doxing” against judges, their families, or court staff is never acceptable.
- Everyone in America has the right to have their lawyer advocate for them, including to assert their legal rights against government actions that affect them, their businesses, and their organizations.
- No government should punish, threaten, or retaliate against lawyers for advocating for their clients.
- Lawyers take an oath to support the Constitution and thus have an obligation to defend the Rule of Law, the independence of the judiciary, and the right to counsel.This obligation includes the responsibility to oppose actions that undermine these bedrock principles of the American justice system.
A Free Press Cannot Exist Under Threat of Government Retaliation
The founding fathers wanted to make sure that people and publishers could disagree with the King’s version of events without punishment or censorship. That’s why the First Amendment promises free speech and a free press. Government leaders who dislike a news story...
Oppose the DOJ’s Ethics Shield Rule
No lawyer should be above the ethical rules that govern the profession. Not even lawyers for the Department of Justice. A proposed new DOJ rule would give the Attorney General the right to interpose herself into state bar ethics investigations of current and former...
Elections in Georgia: Why They Can Be Trusted
The nationalizing of state elections is contrary to the U.S. Constitution and poses a significant threat to foundations of the rule of law. President Trump has stated that the U.S. election system is riddled with fraud and that significant numbers of undocumented...
Standing Up for the Rule of Law
Thank you for being one of more than 700 members of Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law. This week’s piece highlights a recent Georgia Supreme Court opinion in In the Matter of W. McCall Calhoun, Jr. and the importance of standing up for the Rule of Law. On January...
Law and Order Requires that Law Enforcement Follow the Rules
Thank you for being one of more than 700 members of Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law. This week we highlight an article from the CATO Institute that discusses the recent shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota. The American concept of “Law and Order” requires that...
The Rule of Law and an Undeclared “War”
Thank you for being one of more than 600 members of Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law. This week we are highlighting the article entitled Hegseth ‘Double Tap’ Brings Legality of Entire Narco Campaign Into Question. The Rule of Law governs when our government...
Upholding the Oath
Upholding the oath our military leaders take is essential to the Rule of Law. They must obey lawful orders, but have a duty not to obey unlawful orders—ones that violate the Constitution or our laws. Reminding our military of their oath to follow the law is not...
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Contact Us
Do you have questions or need to speak with GLRL? Email info@georgialawyersfortheruleoflaw.org, and we'll get back to you as soon as we are able.