Training to Directors of Family Guidance and Reconciliation Departments

In cooperation with the High Council of Family Courts, the Institute of Law (IoL) launched on 2 July 2013 a training course targeting directors of Family Guidance and Reconciliation Departments at Palestinian family courts. Organised with support from the Representative Office of Demark to the Palestinian Authority,

training will cover procedures in place at these departments.

To take place over three days (2, 3 and 8 August 2013), the training event will address significant services delivered by the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Departments, including domestic disputes and separation by divorce. The training course will identify and propose necessary mechanisms to overcome impediments to these departments.

In his opening statement, Mr. Mohammed al Khader, Academic Researcher at the IoL, welcomed His Eminence Sheikh Yousef Id’eis, Chairman of the High Council of Family Courts and President of the High Family Court, commending his informed management of this essential justice component. Having also welcomed directors and staff members of Family Guidance and Reconciliation Departments, Mr. Al Khader expressed his hope that the training course would provide capacity building and enhance trainees’ functional performance.

Mr. Al Khader elaborated that the training event was a component of an integrated programme of cooperation between the IoL and High Council of Family Courts. “Training modules are tailored to develop functions of family courts, positively enhancing public service delivery and domestic dispute resolution.” According to Mr. Al Khader, this significant cooperation would be maintained. Sheikh Id’eis extended his thanks and gratitude to the IoL and commended its concerted effort to develop family court processes in Palestine, stressing that mutual cooperation between the IoL and High Council of Family Courts has provided significant capacity building to family court staff. Sheikh Id’eis emphasised that “this training course will improve operation of Family Guidance and Reconciliation Departments, identify functional challenges, and provide necessary mechanisms to handle them.” He indicated that this, and similar, training events “are a response to several local and foreign organisations, which have often called to develop functions of Family Guidance and Reconciliation Departments.”