Governance
Date of next meeting: 12th November, 6:30pm, venue to be confirmed
Trustees responsible: Roger Leese and Kara Irwin
The Governance group works to promote the rule of law, working with developing countries to build strong, independent and efficient legal and regulatory systems.
See below for examples of Governance projects:
A4ID lawyers are working with the Lao Bar Association to strengthen the rule of law in Laos by:
- Developing and delivering bespoke continued legal education training for local lawyers
- Reviewing and providing technical assistance on a draft Law and Code of Conduct for lawyers
- Discussing the production of a legal aid provider's manual and developing policies and procedures in relation to legal aid
In December 2007, a delegation from A4ID will travel to Laos to provide training to LBA members and meet with LBA members and other stakeholders to discuss the draft law, legal aid and other issues facing the LBA.
In April 2008 A4ID member lawyers delivered training to journalists in Sierra Leone and Liberia on Charles Taylor's trial before the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The trial represented a landmark in international criminal justice, and for Liberians, who do not have their own internationalised court, is the closest they have come to seeing their former President held to account.
Yet the ability of journalists in both countries to keep the public informed about the trial is threatened by their limited knowledge of international criminal law and the physical distance of the trial, which was relocated to the ICC facilities in The Hague for security reasons.
A4ID's training, in collaboration with the Open Society Institute, took place as part of a wider programme to build the capacity of journalists in Liberia to report on legal issues.