Overview

The Rule of Law Stabilization Program – Formal Justice Sector Component (RLS-F) supports the Supreme Court by providing professional training to judges and strengthening the management and budget capacity of official courts.  The program trains the next generation of legal professionals to provide the professional leadership and competency needed for the Afghan justice system to meet the increasing demand for rule of law.  The objective of the RLS-F program is to develop the capacity of Afghanistan's justice system to be accessible, reliable, and fair.  In support of the state system, the RLS-F Program advances key reforms in the judiciary and law schools and develops the capacity of the formal state courts.  The program also increases the capacity of the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to develop and distribute public legal outreach messages and raise public awareness through strategic communications.

Activities

• Building the capacity of the Supreme Court to provide access to fair and effective justice by providing professional training for judges and court staff.
• Incorporating a case tracking system into the courts, and providing judges and administrators with training in its use.
• Providing training in interactive teaching methodologies for law school faculty.
• Developing a core law curriculum and facilitating its adoption by the law schools.
• Promoting the use of practical legal education methodologies in the law faculties, including clinical legal education and moot court programs.
• Promoting the institutional development of the Afghan Women Judges Association;
• Disseminating of public legal outreach messaging to the populace.

Accomplishments

• Expanded the initial training program for judges from one to two years.
• Supported the re-establishment and launch of the Afghan Women’s Judges Association.
• Trained more than 600 judges on substantive law, judicial ethics, and women’s rights.
• Trained approximately 130 judges assigned to insecure areas.
• Civilian courts throughout the country now use a court administration system developed and supported by USAID.
• Developed and trained moot court teams at seven law schools throughout the country and facilitated the nationwide competition.
• Established legal clinics and built the capacity of law school libraries throughout the country.
• Trained law school faculty to use interactive modern teaching methodologies.