The Strengthening the Independence of the Judiciary and Citizen Access in Lebanon (SIJCAJ) Project

Program Summary

The Strengthening the Independence of the Judiciary and Citizen Access to Justice in Lebanon (SIJCAJ) Project is a three-year, $8 million program to strengthen Lebanon’s judicial institutions, increase judicial independence, improve court administration, and increase citizen access to justice. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), SIJACJ is implemented by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) in partnership with AMIDEAST.

· Download SIJACJ Fact Sheet

· Program Partners

Main Goals

· Enhance judicial independence

· Develop the capacity and infrastructure of the Judicial Training Institute for initial and continuing training

· Support efforts by the Ministry of Justice to improve court administration to reduce backlogs, improve case management techniques, and increase transparency

· Improve access to justice

· Award grants to enhance public engagement, support reform efforts, and foster a culture of respect for the Rule of Law

Program Results

A small grants project has been established to provide subgrants to local organizations to carry out projects that improve public understanding and engagement with the justice system, foster a culture of respect for the rule of law, or promote or strengthen judicial independence. Three grants totalling $75,000 were awarded in 2009 that enabled three organizations to expand their activities in support of effective traffic laws and regulations, stronger judicial institution for juvenile delinquents, and programs directed at empowering abused women to be aware of their rights.

A sustainable library available to all members of the legal profession was created within the Judicial Training Institute. The library enables judge trainees and other legal professionals to conduct high quality legal research. A new JTI website with a legal search engine and searchable data base has expanded access to the library and other JTI resources.

Highlights