This research was conducted and published by LAF, IPAR, and the University of Massachusetts Boston, with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2018. It focused on analyzing several cross-cutting legal framework issues affecting the general system of administrative justice in Rwanda focusing on four areas of land expropriation, labor regulation, public procurement, and public employment. It analysed the role of the courts, Ombudsman’s Office, and so called Maisons d’Access a la Justice (MAJ), the district access to justice offices. Furthermore, it also highlighted challenges with policy matters and implementation of existing laws and policies.

Findings from this research revealed noteworthy gaps in the legal framework in areas of land expropriation, labor regulation, public procurement, and public employment, and revealed certain practical implementation barriers to achieving justice, including institutional or managerial deficiencies and a lack of legal awareness of rights and responsibilities on the part of both citizens and government officials. Recommendations were derived from interviews and roundtable discussions with various stakeholders that could inform the views of policymakers going forward. ...........