Rule of Law Initiative Programs - Bahrain

Judicial Reform

Judicial Education and Training

To improve and enhance the delivery of justice, the ABA is working with the Bahrain Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to make ongoing professional training available to judges and prosecutors. For example, the ABA is providing substantive and institution-building assistance with the development of the recently established Judicial and Legal Studies Institute (JLSI).  In addition, the ABA is supporting a series of substantive and skill development courses on such topics as case management, settlement conferences, and mediation.

 

Judicial Conduct and Integrity

The ABA is providing technical assistance to the MOJ in their development of a code of judicial conduct.  The ABA has facilitated the participation of comparative experts and provided training on regulation of judicial conduct to support the MOJ in the drafting process.

 

Court Administration

ABA Mediation Training Group December 2005

The ABA supports the MOJ’s court reform initiative, which includes a focus on upgrading court management.  The ABA's assistance has included conducting an in-depth needs assessment and supporting the implementation of a plan for improving court management and administration.  With ABA support, the MOJ is  upgrading its case management systems, developing a concept for a potential docket system, designing a pilot law clerk program, and upgrading court reporting mechanisms. As part of a pilot project co-sponsored by the ABA, state-of-the art digital audio and video equipment was installed in two Bahraini courtrooms, in late 2005 and 2006. In addition, the ABA is supporting Bahrain's efforts to enhance efficiency in the use of court appointed experts in litigation.

 

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Another focus of the MOJ’s court reform initiative is developing ADR. The ABA is assisting the MOJ with the introduction of ADR into the Bahraini justice system toward the development of a mediation pilot.  As part of this development process, the ABA is providing technical assistance to the MOJ in building the necessary procedural and legal framework to support implementation within the Bahraini court system. The ABA has also supported mediation skills training and organized training programs for judges, lawyers, and prosecutors on mediation techniques.