Justice Financing Framework: Background Brief 2.1 Financing Ambition #1: Justice Sector Share of Total Government Expenditure

This background brief is part of the Justice Financing Framework, and unpacks Financing Ambition #1:

Set Justice Spending in Line with Cross-Country Benchmarks.

The Justice Financing Framework proposes that countries should review the share of total government expenditure allocated to the justice sector in line with cross-country benchmarks. This means reviewing funds allocated to the justice sector as a whole, which, in line with the United Nations (UN)/Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)/International Monetary Fund (IMF) definition includes ministries of justice, judiciary, police, and prisons.

The JFF also suggests that international benchmarks could be applied to funds allocated to the more narrowly defined “judicial system,” which comprises the court system, prosecution services, legal aid, and other state funding for legal advice and representation.

This background brief:

• Explains how the cross-country benchmarks have been derived.
• Discusses the relatively high average level of spending on justice in non-OECD countries.