Development and Humanitarian Actors must increasingly be aware of the potential and the pitfalls of operating in
national and international legal systems.
lawanddevelopment.org aims to create such awareness by contributing to the
global thinking on how law can support recovery and economic development.
Today, numerous rules apply to the interactions between states and non-state parties. International courts and dispute settlement mechanisms have been set up to enforce compliance with commonly agreed norms.
International Law, however, is complex and lacks universal acceptance. Its influence is
disproportionally strong on the poorest countries and countries in crisis, where structures are weak. It is in situations
of poverty and conflict where it has the most impact - for better or worse. International legal structures can provide security,
stability and access to economic support, but they can just as easily prevent timely and adequate assistance.
Good Governance is easily prescribed, but must become a mindset of all involved to make the system work. Less and least developed countries are often governed by inherited laws that are complex and inaccessible for their citizens. Without acceptance by their subjects, they weaken and cease to safeguard the nation state against failure
lawanddevelopment.org provides a unique repository of materials that explore these links between law, recovery, and economic development.
Please direct all enquiries to the
» Editor