News
Jordan’s Applied Science University First to Adopt More Practical Legal Curriculum
Following the March 2007 Conference on Upgrading Legal Education, ABA ROLI has been working with a committee of professors from several Jordanian universities to develop courses in “Legal Research and Writing,” and “Legal English.” Read more »»
36 Law Students to Sharpen Skills, Gain Work Experience
By Taylor Luck, The Jordan Times - 2008-06-11
Unlike many university students, Farah Al Kayed is excited about attending summer school. The 20-year-old University of Jordan student is part of a group of 36 law students from eight universities across the Kingdom participating in an intensive summer course designed to enhance their legal skills and provide them with work experience. Organised by the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Rule of Law Initiative and supported by USAID, the course teaches students legal analysis, mediation/negotiation skills, ethics, legal writing and research, argument building and legal drafting. Read more »»
Moot Court Program Deepens Roots in Jordan
Eighteen law students and recent graduates who participated in last year’s First Annual National Moot Court Competition in Jordan are now serving as mentors for students preparing for the second national competition. Read more »»
Programs
Legal Education
One of ABA's objectives is to enhance the future performance of judges and lawyers in Jordan by improving legal education. Partnering with law faculty deans and professors, attorneys, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Justice, ROLI has engaged stakeholders in activities to build consensus on reform efforts. In 2005 and 2007, ROLI organized national workshops for legal education stakeholders that produced a series of recommendations to advance legal education reform in Jordan. Read more »»
Judicial Ethics and Independence and Integrity
ABA ROLI experts conducted an assessment of judicial independence and integrity in Jordan and noted the lack of an official ethics guide for judges. ROLI worked closely with a group of judges, the Accountability Working Group (AWG), to develop a clear and viable system of judicial ethics and accountability in Jordan. ROLI organized a U.S.-based study trip for members of AWG and supported the AWG in developing a Judicial Code of Ethics. Read more »»
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Experts and local stakeholders have expressed considerable concern about Jordan's overburdened court system, citing decreased accessibility to justice and public dissatisfaction with the courts. ROLI introduced court mediation as an alternative to Jordan’s lengthy, costly litigation process. Legislative amendment to Jordan’s Mediation Law, trainings, awareness sessions, and the development of materials (including public brochures, forms and a code of ethics for mediators) were part of the necessary preparation. Read more »»
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Background
Since 2004, the Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI) has been promoting legal reform in Jordan with an overall goal of building “a more effective, efficient and transparent Justice System in Jordan”. ROLI has partnered with key institutions for justice reform efforts-the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Higher Education, the Judicial Council, Law Faculties, and the business community. Stakeholder participation and ownership has been a key theme underlying ROLI’s activities in Jordan.
ROLI has been building local capacity through trainings, conferences and study trips. ROLI supported the creation of Jordan’s first Judicial Code of Ethics and has recently developed a court mediation project that will be rolled out across the Kingdom. ROLI is about to start its fourth year in Jordan and will focus on the following components: Legal Education, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Judicial Integrity and Independence. ROLI activities in Jordan are funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
