About us

The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) is an organisation dedicated to ensuring that justice is accessible, affordable, and easy to understand. We call this people-centred justice. By collaborating with justice providers, including ministries of justice and judiciaries, we develop solutions that enable more individuals to prevent or resolve their justice challenges. This not only benefits people directly but also fosters safe, stable societies where economic growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship thrive.

Our work spans multiple countries, with programmes in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Niger, Burkina Faso, the Netherlands, Iraq and Syria.

How we work

Efficient and fair justice systems empower people to resolve disputes, rebuild trust, and strengthen communities, driving economic growth, social stability, and a thriving future for all. Our insights come from listening to people’s experiences with legal problems. To make justice systems work for everyone, we partner with Ministries of Justice, judiciaries and other stakeholders to identify challenges to justice delivery, designing solutions, and implementing them in ways that fit different contexts and needs.

Understand the Gap

It starts with data. Through tools such as our Justice Needs and Satisfaction Surveys or Stakeholder Dialogues, we help governments, judiciaries and key partners explore justice challenges and find practical solutions. Together we identify priorities, measure progress, and set a clear path to lasting change—ensuring actions are based on real data and people’s needs.

Develop Solutions

Together we work to solve problems in the justice system by looking at what works and using real evidence to guide our approach. The goal is to create the right conditions for change and develop solutions that can grow and help more people. We focus on practical ideas and innovations that make the biggest difference in meeting people’s legal needs.

Scale impact

We provide strategic support and partnership in delivery of improved justice services. Through evidence-based planning, monitoring, and research, we help refine, implement and scale justice solutions and pilots that can grow and last over time so everyone can get the help they need.

Our team

Meet our team of justice experts:

As a lawyer, I represented many who were failed by the legal system at every step in their long and arduous journey—until they had no choice but to abandon all hope for justice. I have seen what happens when the system turns its back on those it's meant to serve. Since then, I have been committed to making sure the law and its mechanisms provide protection, dignity, and real solutions—ensuring justice meets people where they are and addresses their everyday legal needs.

Zainab MalikSenior Policy and Advocacy Advisor | Leading the development of global policy and advocacy strategies that advance people-centered justice worldwide

From past experiences, I think that current Justice Systems are outdated and resistant to change. They are far from providing universal access to justice services. My motivation lies therefore in finding innovative solutions to make justice more user-friendly and assisting those who take the lead in delivering justice in their mission.

Roger El KhourySenior Programme Manager - MENA | Key strategic liaison in the MENA region

I believe stakeholders across disciplines and communities need a safe space to hear each other, plan together, and pursue people-centred justice goals in unison. I am committed to supporting processes that create the enabling space for critical stakeholders to have a buy-in, take responsibility for their roles, promote ownership, and take sustainable, effective actions. These actions I am convinced are best measured by budgeted funding, effective policies and laws, and impactful innovations.

Ijeoma A. NwaforJustice Transformation Country Representative, Nigeria | Key strategic liaison in Nigeria

“I believe in giving a voice to those who haven’t been heard.” This belief drives me in my work every day. Ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable populations have access to justice and are included in the conversation is at the heart of what I do. I am motivated by the idea that everyone deserves to be listened to, and that by amplifying these voices through data and research, we can create a more just and equitable world.

Dr. Rodrigo NunezSenior Justice Sector Advisor | Researching justice needs and satisfaction of citizens

My journey as a lawyer and Senior Justice Advisor at HiiL is driven by the belief that justice is about people, not institutions. Throughout my career, I have witnessed how traditional justice systems often fail to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. This has inspired me to focus on creating justice systems that are not only accessible and efficient but also truly responsive to individuals' needs. Whether advocating for vulnerable clients or working to reshape justice frameworks, my goal is always to ensure that justice delivers real, meaningful solutions for people—not just institutions.

Thouraya TijaniSenior Justice Advisor | Key strategic liaison in Tunisia

Our impact

HiiL works to make justice systems more responsive to people's needs. We support programmes that improve justice journeys, strengthen institutions, and scale solutions that help people resolve their most pressing problems.

Our reach

27

countries where we've worked

178

justice startups supported

100+

justice providers involved in people-centred justice dialogues

150,000+

people reached through Justice Needs and Satisfaction studies

Our partners' voices

The policy brief has provided critical insights into people’s basic justice needs. HiiL’s extensive data-driven analysis has not only highlighted the most pressing legal problems but also offered practical recommendations for bridging the justice gap. HiiL’s continued involvement will be pivotal in helping us monitor progress, refine strategies and scale up successful initiatives.

Sam WairagalaDeputy Senior Technical Adviser at Governance and Security (JLOS) Secretariat, Uganda

The World of Work platform paves the way for a true culture of work-related conflict prevention. It focuses efforts where they are most needed, while ensuring the complementarity of the legislative and regulatory frameworks for labour relations. (…) We are pleased to express our satisfaction with this very fruitful collaboration with HiiL.

Hayet Ben IsmailPresident of the General Committee for Labour and Professional Relations in Tunisia

In our quest to improve the quality of the justice journeys of our people, our courts will be accessible havens where Judges, Judicial Officers and Staff are service-oriented and care about the well-being and dignity of court users. Our processes will be streamlined and simplified, not just for efficiency, but to ensure that justice is reachable and understandable to every citizen, regardless of their social or economic status.

Chief Justice Martha KoomeKenya

Our partners

We work with governments, judiciaries and other stakeholders to design responsive justice solutions that are informed by people's daily needs and priorities.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

New York University, Center for International Cooperation

Our programmes

Ethiopia

The Netherlands

Niger

Nigeria

Iraq

Tunisia

Uganda

Burkina Faso

Justice Accelerator

Our publications

Explore HiiL’s research and insights. Our Justice Needs and Satisfaction studies, policy briefs, and practical guidelines offer evidence based insights to drive meaningful change in justice systems.

Our Supervisory board

Our Supervisory Board provides overall strategic supervision and advice.

Partner with us

Justice matters—for people, communities, and economies. At HiiL, we believe that by focusing on the most pressing needs, we can transform justice systems into engines of resolution and hope. Explore how our expertise can support your work. Together, we can close the justice gap and create a world where justice truly serves all.