JSMP
Press Release
12 July 2005

JSMP Welcomes Court Clerk Training

JSMP welcomes the training program for court officials opened Monday 11 July at the Judicial Training Centre in Dili by the President of the Court of Appeal, Claudio Ximenes.

Training has been carried out in the past for other court actors, but this is the first time court clerks and administrative staff have received such training. Thirty court clerks, court administrators and Prosecution Office clerks from across Timor will attend.

JSMP has received information that the course, which will be held over four months, is to be divided into two groups, one to be held in the morning and one in the afternoon, to ensure minimal disruption to the running of the Courts.

Trainees will study modules including professional ethics, the Public Service Act, case management procedure, penal procedure and the draft Court Clerk Statute. Standard case management forms will be introduced. The trainees will also take part in Portuguese language courses.

The course, which is coordinated by the UNDP, will be delivered in Dili and Baucau by international court clerks contracted by UNDP and UNOTIL.

Effective court administration is vital to a functioning judicial system and enhancing the skills and professionalism of court officials is an ongoing priority. JSMP is confident that this training program is an important step on the road to building a strong justice system in Timor Leste and congratulates those involved in its inception.

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