The United Stated Agency for International Development (USAID) provided the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic (MOJ) with software and computer equipment for examining prospective defense attorneys at a handover ceremony on October 8, 2014 at the Ministry of Justice. Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic Almambet Shykmamatov and USAID Kyrgyz Republic Acting Mission Director Michael Greene spoke at the event.

The computerized qualification examination is an electronic test with 955 recently revised questions, 110 of which will be randomly assigned to test takers. Each candidate’s results will be available immediately after the completion of the examination. The first computer based examination for prospective advocates is planned for October 9-10, 2014.

“It is important that defense attorneys possess adequate knowledge and skills. One way to ensure that only high-quality, well-trained advocates succeed in acquiring a license is to have candidates take a computer-based exam with an array of questions relevant to the situations they will face in providing criminal defense services,” said Michael Greene USAID Kyrgyz Republic Mission Director.

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), as part of the USAID’s Support to the Kyrgyzstani Legal Defense Community Program, has provided all of the technical support, including software development, equipment, updated exam content, and trainings for prospective defense advocates to prepare them for the test.  ABA ROLI’s local partners include the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic, judges, lawyers, bar associations, law schools, court administrators, and civil society organizations.

Support to the Kyrgyzstani Legal Defense Community Program is one of many assistance projects supported by the American people through USAID.