Legal Professional Development and Anti-Corruption Program (LPAC) Monthly Report May 2016

The program aims to increase the capacity of Liberia's legal institutions to produce high-quality judges, magistrates, prosecutors, public defenders, lawyers, and other law-trained actors, and to reduce corruption that undermines the legal system. 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 Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA). The program provides direct technical, managerial, and financial-capacity building and formal training to foster a robust, well-trained, and competent legal profession. Component B supports Government of Liberia (GOL) efforts to increase its capacity to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption, including within the justice sector, and to educate the public regarding the fight against corruption in Liberia. Under this component, LPAC provides technical assistance, capacity development, and support to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and also supports the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) with respect to coordination with LACC, civil society, and media organizations engaged in anti-corruption initiatives. In May 2016, LPAC advisors met with a senior Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs' (INL) representative from Washington, D.C. to discuss how future INL programs could be designed to augment and/or support USAID rule of law programming activities at the law school, LiberLII, LNBA, and the JI. The Law Advisor and COR will identify gaps and explore new or existing areas of possible program support. LPAC also continued local hiring actions to fill vacant positions, including a Project Administrator, Judicial Training Specialist, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator, Legal Profession Specialists, Education and Prevention Specialist, and Anti-Corruption Specialist. LPAC advisors also met with INL representatives from Washington, D.C. and INL-Liberia to discuss potential INL program support to the Law School, LiberLII, LNBA, and other rule of law activities in Liberia. LPAC completed final draft Memoranda of Cooperation (MOCs) and work plans for JI, LNBA, and LiberLII, which were forwarded to USAID for review and approval. LPAC continued working with LACC to complete their MOC and work plan. No activities are occurring at the Law School due to the Dean's refusal to engage with LPAC. The program's progress is reflected in the 30-60-90 Day Activity Projection Chart, which shows results accomplished as a result of activities carried out. The chart highlights the program's achievements in strengthening legal professional development institutions and reducing corruption in Liberia.