The Dominican Republic has demonstrated exceptional progress in fortifying the rule of law, ascending 11 positions to secure the 76th spot out of 143 countries in the 2025 World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index. This achievement represents the most significant global improvement, with a notable increase of 2.1%. The nation’s overall score advanced from 0.49 to 0.50, underscoring advancements in critical domains such as constraints on governmental authority, civil justice, and criminal justice. The WJP, an autonomous international initiative, assesses the extent to which nations adhere to the principles of the rule of law in everyday life, evaluating factors like corruption absence, justice accessibility, transparency, and respect for fundamental rights. Luis Henry Molina, President of the Supreme Court, attributed this progress to the relentless efforts of judges and court personnel in fostering a justice system characterized by transparency, efficiency, and a human-centric approach. Criminal justice reforms have been pivotal, with marked enhancements in due process, non-discrimination, procedural efficiency, and corruption mitigation, largely due to the national criminal case management system and collaborative efforts through the Inter-institutional Criminal Justice Roundtable. Additionally, the expansion of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation and settlements, has significantly alleviated court backlogs and bolstered public confidence. The report ranks the Dominican Republic among the top 16 nations in Latin America and the Caribbean, showcasing a consistent trajectory of institutional reinforcement since 2019. The Justice of the Future 2034 vision aims to further cultivate a justice system that is agile, accessible, transparent, and trusted by the populace.
Dominican Republic climbs 11 places in World Justice Project Rule of Law Index
