The purpose of this research report was to monitor and evaluate enforcement of court judgments in Rwanda. In accordance with the Justice, Reconciliation, Law & Order Sector Strategy; July 2009 – June 2012, LAF conducted this research focusing on the enforcement of civil judgments excluding commercial and criminal judgments. This research was conducted in ten districts across Rwanda’s five provinces. Primarily quantitative research methods were used in the form of questionnaires targeting those trying to enforce or having enforced court judgments (claimants), and individuals responsible for enforcement (enforcement agents).

Findings from this research addressed the length of enforcing court judgments, looking at how long claimants wait or have been waiting for the enforcement of their judgments, the cost of enforcing court judgments focusing on the loss of earnings, travel costs, and fees of professional bailiffs incurred by claimants; competence of enforcement agents, focusing on their trainings; availability of enforcement agents, looking at their time constraints and other factors influencing their availability; enforcement mechanism and procedures, comparing voluntary and forced enforcement; as well as effectiveness and public perception of the enforcement process..........