Scraped from the 2017-2018 World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index, this list ranks the top five countries with the highest adherence to the rule of law from the perspective of its citizens or residents. 137 countries around the world were ranked, considering factors like the independence of the judicial system from the government, individuals or corporate influence.
South African chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng leading a session of the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg
Factors that are taken into consideration in the Index include: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, openness of governments, independence of the judicial system from the government, individuals or corporate influence.
The report ranks Rwanda as the African Country With The Best Legal Systems In Africa, followed by Namibia, Egypt, then Mauritius and finally, South Africa.
With 1 being the least independent and 7 being totally independent, here are the five countries with the best legal systems across the continent:
1. Rwanda
This East African nation has been ranked as having the best judicial system in Africa. The country scored an average of 5.6 out of 7 surpassing France, Germany and even USA.
Reacting to the news, Johnston Busingye, the Rwandan Minister of Justice and Attorney General told The New Times: “The ranking doesn’t mean that all is perfect, but as you can see even the first country globally doesn’t have 100 per cent. For us it means our judiciary has come of age; it’s the reason for sustained confidence and trust.”
2. Namibia
Ranking at 29 globally, with a score of 5.3 on the scale, Namibia is the second African country with the best legal system.
The country’s decision to establish an independent body of the Judiciary separate from the Ministry of Justice has really improved its judicial independence.
3. Egypt
Ranked 31 globally and a Score of 5.1, Egypt is the third country with the best legal system in Africa and 31 across the world.
An independent study revealed that the country’s free access to the justice system, legal aid and various legislative instruments like the Trafficking Law may be the reason for the country’s high ranking.
4. Mauritius
A score of 5.0 out of 7 makes this country the fourth best with regards to judicial independence in Africa and 34 globally.
Apart from having a really good judiciary, it is also the most democratic African country in 2018 with an overall score of 8.22, according to the recent Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index.
5. South Africa
It scores 4.9 out of 7 on the ranking scale to make it 36th on the global stage and fifth best independent judicial systems in the continent.
