People-Centered Justice for Enabling Environments: Practical Guide from TED Rule of Law Clinics

This practical guide presents key insights from the Rule of Law clinics organised by the Team Europe Democracy (TED) Working Group on Rule of Law and Accountability in 2024–2025. The Rule of Law clinics focused on people-centered justice (PCJ) – an approach that puts the needs, priorities, and lived experiences of people at the heart of justice systems, ensuring that justice is accessible, fair, and effective in their daily lives. Co-convened by TED’s thematic leads, the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL), the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO) and the World Justice Project (WJP) and further network members, the clinics provided space for collective reflection, peer learning and practical exchange on innovative ways to embed PCJ in European justice programming. 

Four Rule of Law Clinics were organised to explore different dimensions of people-centered justice. The first clinic was grounded in the 2023 OECD Recommendation on Access to Justice and People-Centered Justice Systems – endorsed by the EU and all Member States – and focused on data-driven approaches to better understand justice needs. The second clinic turned to customary, informal, and community justice, reflecting on their role in delivering accessible and context-specific solutions. The final two clinics were linked to land rights and Global Gateway priorities, examining how people-centered tools – including data-based needs assessments and community engagement – can support more inclusive infrastructure investments.

The practical guide distils the main takeaways offering links and resources to further learning opportunities.