This PhD thesis critiques the prevailing theory of judicial reform in international development assistance. It argues the theory is insufficient because it focuses only on an economic justification to promote growth, without considering justice as fairness and equity. The thesis proposes revising the theory to include a constitutive humanistic dimension. It also argues judicial reform success should be measured using an international human rights law framework. The thesis presents case studies from Asia that provide evidence of both the deficiencies of current approaches and some initial successes in promoting substantive rights.