Legal Reform and Implementation Challenges: A Qualitative Study from Government Officials’ Perspectives

Abstract

Legal reform constitutes a critical mechanism for strengthening governance, public accountability, and the rule of law. However, in practice, substantial gaps often persist between normative reform objectives and actual implementation outcomes. This study aims to explore government officials’ experiences, interpretations, and challenges in implementing legal reforms, positioning them as key actors at the intersection of policy design and administrative practice. Employing a qualitative approach with an interpretive case study design, the research draws on in-depth interviews, legal and policy document analysis, and observations of public administrative processes. The findings reveal that legal reform implementation is profoundly shaped by bureaucratic capacity, political dynamics, organizational culture, and the discretionary authority exercised by government officials. Legal reforms are frequently perceived not only as instruments of institutional improvement but also as administrative burdens that necessitate adaptive strategies and informal negotiations. Moreover, fragmented authority, limited resources, and organizational resistance emerge as major constraints undermining consistent and effective implementation. This study underscores that legal reform should be understood not merely as normative legal change but as a complex institutional and socio-political process. The findings contribute to the literature on legal reform, public policy, and governance, while offering policy-relevant insights to enhance administrative capacity, institutional coordination, and the effectiveness of legal reform implementation.