Inequality before the law

Inequitable administration of justice
Denial of right to equal protection by the law
Prejudicial treatment in the administration of justice
Biased legal systems

Nature

Unequal access to legal advice, representation and other legal facilities, which may or may not be written into the law, acts as a special restriction on the rights of certain sections of the community.

Background

Inequality before the law has been documented since ancient civilizations, where legal privileges were often reserved for elites. Its global significance emerged with the Enlightenment and the spread of human rights discourse, notably through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Despite international legal frameworks, persistent disparities in legal treatment—highlighted by civil rights movements and contemporary reports from organizations such as Amnesty International—have underscored the enduring and widespread nature of this problem worldwide.

Incidence

Inequality before the law persists globally, affecting both developed and developing nations. Disparities in legal outcomes are evident across lines of race, gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity, with marginalized groups often facing harsher penalties, limited access to legal representation, and systemic bias. These inequities undermine public trust in judicial systems and perpetuate cycles of disadvantage, making the problem a significant barrier to justice and social cohesion worldwide.
In 2020, the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA, and the subsequent legal proceedings highlighted stark racial disparities in the American justice system. The incident sparked worldwide protests, drawing attention to systemic inequalities in law enforcement and judicial processes.

Claim

The poor, outcasts and minorities are discriminated against in the enforcement and the interpretation of law. Proposals for change offered by sub-groups are rejected by the majority body as not serving the needs of the whole.

Counter-claim

The notion that inequality before the law is a significant problem is vastly overstated. Modern legal systems already provide equal rights and protections for all citizens, regardless of background. Isolated incidents of unfairness do not reflect the overall effectiveness of our justice system. Focusing on this supposed issue distracts from more pressing societal concerns. The legal framework in place is sufficient, and claims of widespread legal inequality are exaggerated and unsubstantiated.

Inequality before the law

Nature

Background

Incidence

Claim

Counter-claim

Broader

Narrower

Aggravates

Aggravated by

Related

Strategy

Value

Reference

SDG

Metadata