CLA News / 4th Commmonwealth Law Conference Rule of Law Award
In 2013 CLA partnered with LexisNexis to establish a biennial award recognising an individual, institution or firm or lawyers who had made an outstanding contribution to the rule of law which had impact both within their own country and to the broader Commonwealth. LexisNexis has a strong commitment to advancing the rule of law that unifies the Company across the globe and is passionately supported by its people.
Nominations are now open for the 2019 Rule of Law Award. Download your application form here.
Thuli Madonsela – 2017 winner of the 3rd Rule of Law Award
In her seven years as Pubic Protector, Advocate Madonsela demonstrated to ordinary South Africans that there is merit in pursuing the truth, regardless of the obstacles, and that justice can and will prevail.
She made the nebulous concepts of the Rule of Law – that everyone is equal before the law and access to justice, a reality for ordinary South Africans. Advocate Madonsela created a beacon of hope for all South Africans in ensuring that the public was not only aware of the public abuse of power, but also that they had recourse against it. In her quest for justice she fought obstacles to ensure the successful completion of investigations, right until her last week in office in mid‐October 2016 when she finalised the ‘State of Capture’ investigation into alleged unethical an improper conduct by the President and other high‐level State functionaries.
She is described by the Law Society of South Africa as showing no prejudice and objectively dealing with all cases, even those involving high‐profile politicians. During her career she endured controversy and criticism, was continuously undermined and accused of false and misleading political agendas. She was personally threatened and insulted and subjected to severe public scrutiny ‐but she remained steadfast and true to her mandate. The judging panel found Ms Madonsela to be a very worthy winner who demonstrated the attributes this award seeks to foster within the Commonwealth. The CLA are grateful to Lexis Nexis for their continued support of the CLC Rule of Law Award.
