The criminal justice system and the rule of law

In everyday use, the rule of law is often equated with law and order - the idea that people should obey the law. However, as Bottomley and Parker observe, while law and order might be an aspect of some conceptions of the rule of law, it is not really at the heart of it.' They suggest that the rule of law is valued because it is thought to curb the power of government, protect the rights and liberties of citizens and promote personal autonomy, in that individuals can predict the circumstances in which government will interfere with their lives.