News
Video: Mediation Training in Liberia 
Since 2006, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) in Liberia, through its U.S. Agency for International Development-supported access to justice program, has offered mediation skills trainings. About 1,100 Liberian elders, town chiefs, non-governmental organization representatives, lawyers, youth and women’s group leaders participated in the trainings. Read more »
James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute Graduates First Group of Liberian Trainers
Liberia’s recently launched judicial training institute—the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute—awarded certificates to 21 Liberian judges, magistrates and lawyers after they completed the institute’s first training course on instructional design and facilitation skills. Read more »
Training for Judges and Magistrates Held in Liberia
The subjects of integrity, professionalism and courtroom management were addressed during a two-day training session held in Gbarnga, Liberia, in early November. More than 30 magistrates and judges took part in the event, which was sponsored by USAID and its implementing partner, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), with the support of the International Legal Assistance Consortium and the Carter Center. Read more »»
Alternative Dispute Resolution Work Continues in Liberia
As part of its efforts to promote awareness of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Liberia, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is undertaking a variety of activities to address the country’s needs. The ADR program emphasizes building local capacity by conducting mediation training for target groups and by ensuring that all written materials are tailored for Liberian audiences. Read more »»
Programs
Legal Aid Clinic
ABA ROLI’s legal aid clinic has two priorities: to provide students with hands-on legal experience and to create a pool of attorneys who are dedicated to public service. As part of its formal internship program, the clinic pairs legal aid scholars with practicing lawyers to guide their legal aid work. Four students who began internships with the public defense office, headed by Chancellor Ellijah Cheapo, are currently assisting in the representation of indigent clients. Another nine students interning in the county attorney’s office are working to reduce the backlog of criminal prosecutions. Students participating in the ABA ROLI program have assisted with a wide range of cases including criminal defense, criminal prosecution, labor law disputes, land disputes, matrimonial disputes and debt actions. Since April 2007, the students participated in 480 cases.
Currently, ABA ROLI is working with the Civil Rights Association of Liberian Lawyers to open a new clinic in Buchanan, located in Grand Bassa County. The area desperately needs legal services, as there is limited understanding of the criminal justice process by the general public and the area is experiencing a spike in violence against the region’s police.
Mediation Reform and Training
The ABA recognizes that legal proceedings in a court of law may sometimes be prohibitively expensive or otherwise out of reach to many in post-conflict countries. Therefore, the ABA has a robust training program designed to improve the prevalence of mediation as a means of managing minor legal issues, as well as the proficiency and knowledge of existing mediators.
The Africa Division has already held several training sessions on mediations for national and international NGOs, as well as for hearing officers of the Ministry of Labor. The ABA is also working with a pro-bono expert to develop materials designed to assist the Ministry of Labor in its own mediation training program.
The ABA has also held and participated in workshops on the law regarding mediation. These workshops are designed to evaluate the current mediation law and provide input into proposed revisions to it.
Legislative Reform
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| His Excellency, Minister Samuel Kofi Woods, II Minister of Labor, Liberia 2006 ABA Reformer’s Award Recipient |
The Liberian Minister of Labor has asked the Rule of Law Initiative to aid in reforming the current Liberian law. The Minister of Labor is seeking to modernize the labor law, and sought input from the ABA. The ABA has been able to draw on attorneys from around the world to provide suggestions to revamping the entire Liberian Labor Law..
This program continues to be pursued by the ABA and by the Minister of Labor. The Africa Division has participated in numerous workshops organized by the Ministry of Labor to discuss the benefits and complications of proposed reforms. In addition, the ABA has worked with the Ministry of Labor to produce and distribute copies of the labor law to such groups as NGOs, labor unions, small business organizations, and multi-national corporations.
Victim Support Services
ABA ROLI has hired two victim support officers to facilitate interactions between victims of crime and the justice sector. Initially, the officers will hold daily legal consultations in safe house in Paynesville. Given that the majority of gender-based violence (GBV) victims seek medical rather than legal assistance, the officers will work out of a medical clinic run by a local partner organization.
ABA ROLI conducted a joint-training session for the newly-hired victim support officers and for those affiliated with the Buchanan legal aid clinic. Other training participants included the United Nations Mission in Liberia, the Carter Center and the Center for Victims of Torture. Topics covered include criminal law and procedure, counseling techniques, Liberian GBV law, cultural and social attitudes toward GBV and its victims, mediation and evidentiary techniques.
ABA ROLI is also participating, at the Ministry of Justice’s invitation, in discussions to develop a specialized prosecution unit for sex crimes. The working group also includes the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, the Carter Center and Justice Sector Support for Liberia.
Anthony ValckeCountry Director
American Bar Association
Africa Rule of Law Initiative
Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law (Top Floor)
University of Liberia
Monrovia - Liberia
Phone: +231-655-3216
Email: avalcke@staff.abanet.org
Background
The Africa Division of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative began its Liberia operations in January of 2006. Based in Monrovia, the Liberia office is committed to promoting access to justice in Liberia. Read more »
Under the direction of Mr. Anthony Valcke, the office has been involved in a wide diversity of activities, including 1) the establishment of a legal aid center in the Louis Arthur Grimes Law School; 2) the establishment of a victim support clinic for victims of gender based violence; 3) the development of training materials and the training of mediators; 4) the creation of scholarships for promising law students involved in public service law; and 5) the provision of legal advice to the Liberian Minister of Labor in his endeavor to update the labor law.
