Judicial Institute’s Training Programs

TRAINING PROGRAMS    

Training Calendar at a Glance

 

After its establishment in 2008, the Institute proceeded to develop programs to meet the capacity building needs of the Judiciary. The following programs have been in full swing since 2010:

  • The Quarterly Judges Training Program
  • The Quarterly Public Defenders Training Program
  • The Professional Magistrates Training Program
  • The Joint Training of Magistrates, City Solicitors and Police
  • The Court Clerks Training Program
  • The Computer Training Program
COLLABORATION WITH JUSTICE ACTORS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS

On the national level, the Institute maintains very cordial relations with the following institutions:

  • Ministry of Justice/Prosecution
  • Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA)
  • Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law
  • Liberia National Police
  • The Justice and Security Joint Program
DONOR SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION

The achievements made thus far by the Institute over the years can be largely credited to the support of development partners. Prominent among these partners include the following:

  • USAID
  • UNMIL
  • GIZ
  • US State Department/INL-ROLI
  • UNFPA
  • UNDP
  • UNICEF
  • UNODC
SUPPORT FROM THE JUDICIARY/GOL

The James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute is a government entity operating under the Judicial Branch of government. Since its establishment in 2008, it has been to a large extent, donor driven. The physical facilities currently used by the Institute are provided by the Judiciary. The Judiciary has since taken over the salaries/allowances of staff, and other administrative costs. The Judiciary also provides minimum funding to support the training programs.

SOME ACHIEVEMENTS BETWEEN 2010 AND 2015

The following could be recounted as some achievements during the period [2010 – present]:

  • Development of training programs to meet the capacity building needs of the Judiciary
  • The effective implementation of trainings to various judicial actors during the period
  • Identification of a site for the construction of the Institute
  • Completion of a Draft Blueprint for the Institute’s new home
  • Completion of the Draft Act to give the Institute legal status
  • Development of research materials on various subject areas to enhance the training programs of the Institute
  • The successful implementation of Cycle I of the Professional Magistrates Training Program (PMTP) – 60 Candidates were graduated, appointed and commissioned, and are currently serving at various courts across the country.
SOME CHALLENGES

Challenges faced by the Institute include the following:

  • Inadequacy of funding from Government
  • Lack of logistics to support the Institute’s training and research activities
  • Inadequate infrastructure to house the Institute
  • Lack of opportunity for staff development
EFFORTS TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY

As the Institute grows, resource mobilization strategy is crucial to ensuring sustainability of its programs. We are grateful that the Draft Act and the Strategic Plan substantially deal with this issue. Hence, over the next two (2) years, it is envisaged that the Government will give the Institute full support to enable it measure up to the task to place the Judiciary on the trajectory of sustained reform.