A fair and resilient judicial system in any country depends on knowledgeable legal practitioners working within systems that are transparent, functional, and equitable. AMIDEAST has helped to introduce broad-based principles of legal administration to the justice systems of Arab countries. We have provided advanced training to lawyers, judges, administrators, and legal educators. Through AMIDEAST efforts, Arab governments and professional associations have been able to raise the standards of jurisprudence, legal competence, and efficiency in their own countries justice systems. The Democracy and Governance Programs we have administered include:
 

Administration of Justice Support Project (AOJS) II

Sponsor: U.S. Agency for International Development

Region: Egypt

Duration: 2004–2009

Summary: In August 2004 USAID awarded AMIDEAST a five-year contract to implement the Administration of Justice Support II project (AOJS II) in Egypt. The purpose of AOJS II is to assist the Government of Egypt to replicate, in other courts, the reformed and modernized court systems carried out in the Civil/Commercial courts of North Cairo and Ismailia under AOJS I. The activities involved in replication will be carried out primarily through the Egyptian Ministry of Justice and its two key institutions responsible for the nationwide replication of the pilot court system: the Judicial Information Center (JIC) and the National Center for Judicial Studies (NCJS).

The AOJS II project team includes three implementing partners and six technical partners. The implementing partners are America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST), the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), and Intercom Enterprises (Intercom). These three partners have a history of strong collaboration in AOJS I. AMIDEAST, with an institutional presence in Egypt for almost 50 years, will serve as prime contractor and provide overall project and financial management services. NCSC, the foremost U.S. non-profit institution providing leadership nationally and internationally in advancing the rule of law and justice sector reform, will provide technical leadership in court administration, court automation and information delivery technologies, change management in courts, and judicial training. Intercom, an Egyptian information technology firm, will contribute to court automation and computer services components.

The AOJS II strategic approach is guided by the teams vision, which includes an Egyptian judicial system with strong, inclusive, strategic oversight by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), courts that are more efficient and transparent, a constituency for court reform both within and outside of the MOJ, more women in senior positions, and greater public confidence in the courts. The strategy includes (1) facilitating and supporting a structure for stakeholder involvement; (2) institutionalizing sustainable capacity for reform; (3) approaching court reform holistically; (4) facilitating change management; (5) maximizing participation; (6) promoting transparency; and (7) promoting the use of information for strategic management decision-making.

The cornerstone of the approach is a structure of groups that fully engage direct stakeholders in strategic planning and implementation, and will remain in place to guide future judicial reform efforts. The AMIDEAST team will provide training and technical support to these groups and their institutions to achieve the target results. Chaired by a senior MOJ official, a Project Steering Committee (PSC) will include senior representatives of various MOJ departments as well as the two Task 1 courts. The PSC will ensure coordination of efforts and will also advocate within the MOJ for needed resources and other support. Working Groups within NCJS, JIC, and the two courts will operationalize the PSCs strategic plan at the institutional level and lead institutional reform initiatives. A special Working Group will focus on increasing womens representation in the judiciary.

Challenge: Key target results include: more transparent, effective, efficient courts; improved court performance nationwide; NCJS operating a full continuing legal education system; JIC meeting the MOJs requirements for information management and delivery; more and stronger policies and regulations supporting court modernization; norms in the judicial system that encourage womens participation and promotion; and increased competency in the judiciary.

The six specific tasks entailed in realizing this vision and meeting the requirements of the USAID contract are:

1. Replicate Court Reforms Implemented in AOJS I in Alexandria and Mansour or Port Said
2. Develop Nationwide Replication Plan
3. Strengthen Administrative Capacity of NCJS (National Center for Judicial Studies)
4. Strengthen JIC (Judicial Information Center)
5. Strengthen Capacity of MOJ
6. Develop and Implement Participant Training Program

The project started operations in mid-August, 2004, and is currently being administered by James Grabowski, Chief of Party. Three additional expatriate staff members include the Deputy Chief of Party/Court Administration Expert/Systems Analyst (AMIDEAST); a Judicial Education Expert (NCSC), and a Judicial Information Systems Expert (NCSC). In addition, fifteen Egyptian professionals work in the project office in technical and support functions.

AOJS II Project Office
6 Boules Hannah Street
2nd Floor
Dokki, Giza, Egypt