Georgia in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2022

On October 26, the World Justice Project released the 2022 Rule of Law Index, which found Georgia’s rule of law score to be less than 1% lower than in 2021, ranking Georgia 49th out of 140 countries. It should be noted that Georgia’s score has been steadily declining since 2015, when the state of the rule of law in the country was assessed at 0.65 points (maximum 1 point), and in 2022 the score was 0.60 points.

The score given in the Rule of Law Index is based on 8 factors. These include: limited power, no corruption, open government, fundamental rights, law and order and security, rule enforcement, civil and criminal justice.

According to the document, Georgia ranks first among 14 countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It is followed by Kosovo and North Macedonia. Regionally, the three countries with the lowest scores are Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. Last year, 8 out of 14 countries in the region, including Georgia, experienced declines. Six of these 8 countries also had a decline in the previous year.

Restriction of power

Among the various factors affecting Georgia’s rating, the most problematic for the country is the limitation of power. In 2022, Georgia was rated at 0.53 points. As a result, the country ranked 69th among 140 countries. It should be noted that in 2015 this indicator was 0.62 and has been declining since then.

In this category, which is assessed on the basis of 6 factors, in 2022 Georgia received the following scores: the powers of the government are effectively limited by the legislature (0.57); The powers of the government are effectively limited by the judiciary (0.44); Government powers are effectively limited to an independent audit and inspection service (0.58); Government representatives are punished for inappropriate behavior (0.39); The activities of the government are controlled by non-governmental organizations (0.66), and the transfer of power takes place within the framework of the law (0.55).

No corruption

Regarding the lack of corruption in the government, Georgia’s score remained unchanged at 0.68. As a result, the country ranked 31st among 140 countries. Here, too, the country’s score has been declining since 2015, when it was rated at 0.73 points.

In this category, assessed on four factors, in 2022 Georgia received the following scores: civil servants of the executive branch do not use public service for personal purposes (0.60); Representatives of the judiciary do not use public service for personal purposes (0.72); Members of the police and military do not use public service for private purposes (0.88), and members of the legislature do not use public service for private purposes (0.51).

open management

In terms of open governance, meaning openness of power in terms of information sharing, government accountability, and citizen participation in political decision-making, Georgia was rated 0.59, ranking the country 45th out of 140 countries. In this category, Georgia received the highest score in 2016, when the country was rated at 0.63 points.

In this category, which is assessed on four factors, in 2022 Georgia received the following scores: disclosure of laws and data from the authorities (0.52), the right to receive information (0.66), civic engagement (0.61) and appeal mechanisms ( 0.56).

fundamental rights

In terms of fundamental rights, Georgia scored 0.62 and ranked 51st out of 140 countries. Here, the country’s score has also been declining since 2016 (0.68).

In this category, assessed on eight factors, in 2022 Georgia received the following scores: equal treatment and non-discrimination (0.58); effective provision of the right to life and security (0.72); protection of the rights of the accused and the implementation of appropriate procedural actions in relation to them (0.59); effective provision of freedom of speech (0.66); ensuring freedom of belief and religion (0.65); ensuring the right to privacy (0.47); ensuring freedom of assembly and association (0.69) and ensuring basic labor rights (0.56).

Law and order and security

As for the Law and Order and Security category, which assesses how well the security of people and property is ensured, Georgia received a score of 0.79 and ranked 45th out of 140 countries. Although Georgia’s score has dropped from 0.83 in 2015, it is one of the categories in which the country has maintained a high score.

In this category, which is assessed on three factors, in 2022 Georgia received the following scores: crime is effectively controlled (0.92); civil conflict is effectively contained (1.00) and people do not resort to violence to address personal grievances (0.45).

Compliance with the rules

According to the rules, Georgia received 0.57 points and took 48th place. In 2015, Georgia’s score was 0.62.

In this category, assessed on five factors, in 2022 Georgia received the following scores: effective implementation of government decrees (0.57); the application and enforcement of state regulations is ensured without undue influence (0.80); administrative procedures are carried out without undue delay (0.47); due process of law is ensured in the administrative process (0.39); the authorities do not expropriate without due process of law and adequate compensation (0.60).

civil justice

In terms of civil justice, which assesses whether ordinary citizens can resolve their disputes peacefully and effectively through the civil justice system, Georgia scored 0.53 and ranked 68th. In 2015, the country was rated at 0.63 points.

In this category, assessed by seven factors, in 2022 Georgia received the following points: the population has access to civil justice (0.63); civil justice is free from discrimination (0.54); civil justice is free from corruption (0.59); civil justice is free from excessive influence of the authorities (0.39); civil justice is free from discrimination (0.54), civil justice is not subject to unreasonable delays (0.34); administration of civil justice is efficient (0.52), and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms are accessible, impartial and efficient (0.73).

criminal justice

In terms of the criminal justice category, which evaluates the country’s criminal justice system, Georgia scored 0.51 and ranked 54th.

In this category, assessed on seven factors, in 2022 Georgia received the following points: the criminal investigation system is effective (0.36); the process of criminal record keeping is timely and efficient (0.56); the penitentiary system is effective in terms of reducing criminal behavior (0.63); the criminal justice system is impartial (0.49); the criminal justice system is free from corruption (0.73); the criminal justice system is free from undue influence (0.24); protection of the rights of the accused and the implementation of appropriate procedural actions in relation to them (0.59).