Legal Professional Development and Anti-Corruption Program in Liberia (LPAC) Monthly Report – July 2016

LPAC consists of two components: Component A supports development at four legal education, information, and professional institutions, including the Judicial Institute, the Law School, LiberLII, and the LNBA, with the ultimate aim of making those institutions financially and administratively sustainable. Component B supports Government of Liberia efforts to increase its capacity to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption, including within the justice sector. In July 2016, LPAC worked with the James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute (JI) to strengthen its capacity to support an accountable judiciary. LPAC worked with JI leadership and Board to understand the fundamentals of sustainable training institutes and to review the bylaws drafted by LPAC. The Board established a sub-committee to review the proposed bylaws and align them with the proposed Act Amending Title 17 of the Revised Code of Laws of Liberia. LPAC also worked closely with the Research Department to review their mission and explore reorganizing the work of the Research Department. LPAC also supported the Quarterly Judges' Training Program (QJP) and the Public Defenders Training Program (PDTP). The QJP was suspended in August to allow for adequate time to work with the National Association of Trial Judges (NATJ) to determine highest priority needs, identify international speakers, and network with other potential donors. LPAC took the lead in working with JI on the program agenda for the PDTP, which will provide 34 public defenders with needed training on various topics. The LPAC program is implemented by Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc. under Contract No. AID-OOA-I-13-00034 and Task Order No. AID-624-TO-15-00003. The program is funded by USAID/Liberia and aims to increase the capacity of Liberia's legal institutions and reduce corruption. LPAC's support includes direct technical, managerial, and financial-capacity building and formal training to foster a robust, well-trained, and competent legal profession. LPAC's support to the LACC includes enhancing organizational structures and systems promoting education, outreach, and prevention activities to assist the LACC in its anti-corruption leadership and coordination roles. LPAC also supports the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) with respect to coordination with LACC, civil society, and media organizations engaged in anti-corruption initiatives. The program's progress is reported in keeping with coded objectives and activities as described in the project inception report. Annexed to this report is "Attachment A," a progress chart in tabular form reflecting results accomplished as a result of activities carried out.