The call for nominations for the 2026 UIA Rule of Law Award in cooperation with LexisNexis is open until Sunday 17 May 2026.

The award was established to recognize individuals and/or organisations that contribute actively to the development and promotion of the Rule of Law at the national, regional or international level, particularly within the legal community.

Nominations can be submitted until 17 May 2026 exclusively through the official nomination form in English, French, or Spanish, and by including at least one letter of recommendation from a third party. Self-nominations are not accepted. 

Who is eligible for the Award?

All nominees:

• Must be lawyers or judges, bar associations or lawyers’ organisations; 

• Must have spearheaded the promotion and development of the Rule of Law;

• Must have made significant, recent and peaceful contributions to promote the Rule of Law;

• May be UIA members (except for those holding official functions within the association).
   

For more information about eligibility, criteria, and nomination and selection procedures, please see the Terms and Conditions of the 2026 UIA/LexisNexis Rule of Law Award.
 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE AWARD 2026
 

NOMINATION FORM

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The UIA Rule of Law Award in cooperation with LexisNexis was established in 2016. It is a symbolic prize that aims to acknowledge and publicise award-recipients for their commitment and actions. In past editions, the Award has been presented to:

2025 - Ms Seve Aydin Izouli (France), and Mr Héctor Estuardo Reyes Chiquín, (Guatemala) 
2024 - Olga Olegovna Mikhailova, Vadim Dmitrievich Kobzev and Alexei Evgenyevich Liptser, Lawyers (Russian Federation)
2023 – Céline Bardet, international lawyer and war crimes investigator (France)
2022 – Mohamed El-Baqer, Human Rights Lawyer (Egypt), and “Wolne Sądy”, Foundation (Poland)
2021 – Latifa Sharifi, lawyer (Afghanistan) 
2020 – European Lawyers in Lesvos, non-profit organization (Greece) 
2019 – Bertrand Favreau, Lawyer, President of the IDHAE (France)
2018 – Hon. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court (USA)
2017 – Mr. Saidbek Nuritdinov, President of the Union of Advocates (Tajikistan) 
2016 – Malaysian Bar Association (Malaysia)