The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law will be formally launched at the Royal Courts of Justice on 6 December. Supreme Court president Lord Phillips will preside over a meeting addressed by Lady Bingham, lord chancellor Ken Clarke, lord chief justice Lord Judge, and Roger Errera, a former senior member of the Conseil d’Etat.

The centre was established after Lord Bingham’s retirement as senior law lord, as a tribute to his extraordinary contribution to the law (he was the first English judge to have held the three top judicial posts). It is placed in the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, of which Lord Bingham was a former president.

The centre is devoted to the study and promotion of the rule of law through comparative research, discussion and training. It will collaborate with other bodies and individuals worldwide. It will contribute to the quest for more certainty, accountability and legality in different areas of social and economic activity in the UK and globally.

In the last year of his life, Lord Bingham wrote the now celebrated book, The Rule of Law (Penguin, 2010). He defined the rule of law as follows: ‘That all persons and authorities within the state, whether public or private, should be bound by and entitled to the benefit of laws publicly and prospectively promulgated and publicly administered by the courts.’ That definition was supplemented by eight ‘ingredients’ of the rule of law, including the adequate protection of fundamental human rights and the compliance by the state with its obligations in international as well as national law.

When considered in this light, the maintenance, development and promotion of the rule of law is of fundamental importance for the human dignity and well-being of people everywhere. It provides the foundations for good governance, accountability, certainty and legality which are core conditions for an effective economy and a fair society. Its relevance extends across a wide range in the affairs of people and states and should be a defining value in all societies.

As Tom Bingham said: ‘In a world divided by differences of nationality, race, colour, religion and wealth the rule of law is one of the greatest unifying factors, perhaps the greatest… It remains an ideal, but an ideal worth striving for, in the interests of good government and peace, at home and in the world at large.’

It is, therefore, essential to have a centre devoted to identifying rule of law issues in national, regional and international systems and seeking to analyse, establish and promote its fundamental qualities by: The centre is funded by donations from law firms, lawyers, trusts, companies and other individuals. We hope that others will contribute generously to ensure its future success and to promote Lord Bingham’s values and ideals.

  • Carrying out original research, analysis and discussion of rule of law issues of practical relevance to practitioners, judges, government, business, individuals, groups and organisations in the UK and other countries;
  • Organising high-quality seminars, conferences and other events to ensure effective communication about the rule of law;
  • Collaborating with those who have expertise and experience in this area;
  • Providing support for qualified researchers, interns and visiting fellows from around the world to work in the centre;
  • Being a primary reference point about rule of law issues;
  • Presenting an annual Rule of Law Award for an outstanding contribution to the rule of law;
  • Holding an annual Bingham Lecture;
  • Providing and facilitating training on rule of law matters worldwide; and
  • Creating an effective global network of people and institutions, which builds on the institute’s wide network of membership and contacts.

For more information on the centre and how to get involved, contact Diane Denny or visit the centre's website.

Professor Jeffrey Jowell QC is the inaugural director of the Bingham Centre