Strengthening Peru’s Justice System from University Classrooms

Geraldine Campos Soria is a future lawyer from Peru. When she began studying law at the Universidad Nacional San Agustín in Arequipa, she knew that defending just causes would be her goal. However, as her education progressed, she realized that she could use her talents to contribute to a better administration of justice.

She then learned about the National Interuniversity Oral Litigation Competition, an initiative implemented by the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and the US Department of State, among other public entities. The competition was facilitated through ABA ROLI’s Justice Sector Support Project in Peru.

Geraldine did not think twice; participating involved unique training to practice law. She participated in the litigation course, competed in mock trial hearings with other students, received feedback from judges and prosecutors, and more. “The competition led by ABA ROLI allows us to improve as litigating lawyers, since colleagues with extensive experience and in relevant positions share their knowledge with us,” she said.

Like her, 2,000 other students changed their view of practicing law, thanks to ABA ROLI. Ninety-six percent (96%) of participants said the experience was key to their training as lawyers. “Everyone interested in criminal law should experience this ABA ROLI activity because it is designed to complement our academic and professional training, mainly in oral litigation,” said Luis Vilchez, class of 2023. The Competition opened doors for aspiring lawyers by enhancing their ability to compete for positions such as judges, prosecutors, attorneys, among others

Notably, participation in the Competition experienced a 122.5% increase in applicants from 435 in 2022 to 969 in 2024. This reflects the importance of sustaining these activities to complement university education and their impact on the effectiveness of the administration of justice. “ABA ROLI allowed us to experience first-hand what it is like to practice our career, and it opened many doors for us to learn about the justice system in [Lima], the capital and Peru’s regions,” added Joaquín Ortega, class of 2023.

The testimonies of Geraldine, Joaquín, and Luis confirm that hands-on legal education strengthens Peru’s justice system. This positively impacts security in the region as it strengthens the fight against organized crime and other complex issues such as corruption, money laundering, and human trafficking.

Promoting a more agile and reliable justice system in Peru strengthens the rule of law, which creates a more favorable environment for investment and bilateral trade with the United States. A country with strong institutions and effective justice operators promotes economic stability, fostering business and commercial relations that contribute to making the United States stronger and more prosperous.