The Institute of Law and the Ministry of Justice Launch Jointly the Professional Legal Skills Diploma
The Birzeit University Institute of Law has, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and with co-funding from the United Nations Development Programme UNDP), launched the Professional Legal Skills Diploma on Saturday, July 9, 2011. The ceremony was attended by : Minister of Justice Dr. Ali Khashan ; Acting University President Dr. Sami Al-Sairafi ; Ministry of Justice Undersecretary advisor Khalil Karajeh ; Director of the Institute of Law (IoL) Dr. Ghassan Faramand ; , and UNDP Project Officer James Nonan.
Dr. Khashan spoke at first about the importance of the Legal Skills Diploma in preparing the legal staff within Palestinian National Authority (PNA) institutions. This program will constitute a step forward in professional legal education for all those involved in legal professions, including future judges, researchers, or official employees engaged in the field of law. The program is also meant to enhance the rule of law principle in the Palestinian society.
As for the choice of Birzeit University as incubator of this project, Khashan stated:” Birzeit University has the sufficient experience to impart these skills to trainees and staff of PNA institutions, through integrating theoretical knwoledge with practical skills.
In turn, Dr. Al-Sairafi blessed the launch of the Professional Legal Skills Diploma program. He praised the great effort exerted by IoL and the Ministry of Justice, with financial support from UNDP, to set up a strategic plan for the Diploma program that contributes to the development of the participants’ competency, who constitute the main players in assuring the rule of law.
For his part, the UNDP Project Officer James Nonan expressed his satisfaction at the launch of the outstanding project, seen from two basis features. The first is the sustainability of the program, for it will not be limited to a time period. The second is the existing experience at the IoL. This diploma therefore combines a match between experience and sustainability.
As for the Director of IoL, Dr. Ghassan Faramand, he affirmed that the Professional Legal Skills Diploma program targets the staff of ministries and governmental institutions, while preparing/training legal advisors and improving their professional capabilities in order to assist them in carrying out their work professionally and competently.
In his address, the Ministry of Justice undersecretary advisor Khalil Karajeh pointed out that this diploma program comes as an outcome of lengthy work shared among three parties: the Ministry of Justice, IoL, and UNDP. The Ministry of Justice has deemed that this program should not be exclusive to its employees and legal advisors, but should be rendered and available to all ministries and governmental institutions. The program has seen a rush of registration.
The Diploma program will be carried out over a two year period, involving the graduation of 25 trainees per year. The trainees represent an elite of legal advisors who work at the ministries and institutions of the PNA.
