Outputs of PRLP-OSCU Exchange on Judicial Performance and Professional Development

The workshop aimed to exchange experiences on judicial performance and professional development systems and practices. The outputs of the workshop include findings of an assessment performed by OSCU participants and a draft strategy action plan template. The assessment emphasized that judicial performance is best promoted through a system of standards, evaluation systems, enabling systems, and disciplinary processes. The meeting participants identified strengths of the current system of judicial performance evaluation, including the existence of some performance standards and regular evaluation. However, they also identified weaknesses, such as the lack of workload standards to ensure even distribution of workloads and the absence of additional performance standards and sub-criteria. The participants agreed to add the following criteria to the existing performance standards: knowledge and application of law, impartiality, diligence and preparedness, judicial demeanor and courtesy to the court users, lawyers, and litigants, case management, common sense, control of the courtroom and enforcement of standards of professionalism for attorneys, and quality of decision writing. The assessment also identified strengths, weaknesses, potential activities, and priority levels of the Myanmar judicial performance and professional development system. The participants recommended that the newly-established Professional Development Working Group complete the strengths/weaknesses/actions analysis. The assessment highlighted the need to develop workload standards, finalize additional performance standards and sub-criteria, and regular case studies among judges in township and district courts. The draft strategy action plan template outlines the following components: evaluating judicial performance, enabling good judicial performance, and disciplinary mechanisms. The plan aims to develop a comprehensive system for evaluating judicial performance, including the development of workload standards, additional performance standards and sub-criteria, and regular case studies. It also aims to establish a mentoring program, develop written resources, and establish a professional development advisory system. The plan also focuses on disciplinary mechanisms, including the review of the formation of the disciplinary body, the formation of a specific internal group to handle the disciplinary mechanism, and the development of a proper complaint mechanism. Additionally, it aims to encourage non-interference from other bodies outside the judiciary and develop a public information system for the statistics and information as to the action taken on complaints. The draft action plan format aligns with the strengths/weaknesses/actions analysis described above. The plan is a comprehensive framework for improving judicial performance and professional development in Myanmar. It aims to establish a robust system for evaluating judicial performance, enabling good judicial performance, and ensuring disciplinary mechanisms are in place to maintain the integrity of the judiciary.