News
ABA ROLI Organizes an Appreciation Event for Its Partners in Kosovo
On June 27, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) organized an event in appreciation of its local partners in its almost 12 years of programming in Kosovo. ABA ROLI Director in Kosovo Gina Schaar, Deputy Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development Mission in Kosovo Azza Al Abd, Kosovo’s Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuci, Kosovo Chamber of Advocates (KCA) Vice President Nushe Kuka-Mekaj, Pristina University’s Law Faculty Vice Dean Osman Ismaili and representatives of other local partners and the donor community attended the event. Read more »»
ABA ROLI Hosts Client Counseling Competition in Kosovo
From May 14–15, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) hosted a client counseling competition for law students in Pristina, Kosovo. The competition, which involved students from five public and private universities, was designed to strengthen the participants’ lawyering skills through increased involvement in practical skills activities. Read more »»
Kosovo Chamber of Advocates Launches Digital Membership Database
The Kosovo Chamber of Advocates (KCA) launched a digital membership database—Vizioni1—on March 11. The database will serve as a management tool, allowing the chamber to track its members’ records. The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development, worked closely with the KCA to coordinate the design of this database. Read more »»
Programs
Criminal Law Reform and Anti-Human Trafficking
The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is currently implementing a U.S. Department of Justice-funded program to support the institutional development of the Kosovo Prosecutors Association (KPA) and to provide criminal law practical skills trainings to law students. Under this program ABA ROLI conducted an organizational assessment with the KPA and created an organizational development strategy for the association. The strategy is currently being rolled out across Kosovo for feedback from prosecutors. ABA ROLI is also training and paying for a KPA staff administrator to provide full-time institutional support to the organization. Eventually, the position will be funded by KPA membership dues.
In addition to our work with the KPA, we also partnered with five Kosovar universities to conduct the first-ever national client counseling competition. Eighteen teams of two students worked with coaches to practice client counseling skills leading up to the May 2011 competition. ABA ROLI is currently working with two universities to examine the possibility of conducing future competitions.
Past Programs
The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) successfully implemented a U.S. Agency for International Development-funded program to strengthen the legal profession and legal education in Kosovo from 2000–2011. ABA ROLI worked with legal professionals throughout the justice system, including the Kosovo Judges Association and the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates (KCA). Notable achievements include the establishment of the KCA as a vital membership organization capable of advocating on behalf of defense advocates, creating a mandatory continuing legal education system that has so far trained more than 100 advocates in legal ethics, law practice management and trial advocacy skills, and establishing a functioning disciplinary system within the KCA.
Additionally, we worked with the University of Pristina to ensure that law students are adequately prepared for legal practice. ABA ROLI developed practical legal courses on professional ethics and responsibility, and legal research and writing, which have been incorporated into the university’s curriculum. ABA ROLI also established two master’s level legal clinics in criminal and civil law, which are now a part of the law school’s curriculum. In 2010, ABA ROLI piloted a student career center to provide students with hands-on legal work experience. The center has been so successful that it is now administered and funded by the university. More than 3,100 students visited the career center during its first year of operation. More than 400 students received training in CV-writing and interviewing, and more than 150 students were placed in internships or jobs with local organizations, including the KCA, the Legal Aid Commission and the Ministry of Justice.
Publications
- Kosovo Judicial Reform Index - Volume IV (October 2010). Also available in Albanian and Serbian.
- Kosovo Legal Education Reform Index (July 2010). Also available in Albanian and Serbian.
- Kosovo Legal Profession Reform Index, Volume III (May 2009). Also available in Albanian and Serbian.
- Kosovo Law Day Planning Guide (2009). Also available in Albanian and Serbian.
- Kosovo Chamber of Advocates Strategic Plan (February 2009). Also available in Albanian and Serbian.
- Kosovo Legal Education Reform Index (May 2008)
- Kosovo Legal Ethics Handbook (2008). Also available in Albanian and Serbian.
- Kosovo Judicial Reform Index - Volume III (August 2007). Also available in Albanian and Serbian.
- Kosovo Chamber of Advocates Organizational Assessment 2007 (January 2008) | in Albanian, English & Serbian.
- Kosovo Bench-Bar Brochure (December 2007). Also available in Albanian and Serbian.
- Kosovo Legal Profession Reform Index - Volume II (April 2007). Also available in Albanian and Serbian.
Bill Clinton Boulevard A/2
Pristina, Kosovo, 10000
Phone: +381-38-243-161;+381-38-232- 540
Fax: +381 38-243-161
Email: office@ceelikosovo.org
Background
In 1999, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) established an office in Pristina to implement a technical legal assistance program in Kosovo. ABA ROLI representatives assessing the status of the post-conflict legal system were some of the first legal advisors on the ground. This year, ABA ROLI celebrates 10 years of rule of law promotion in Kosovo. Click here to view a publication about ABA ROLI's 10 years work in Kosovo. Also in Albanian and Serbian.
In February 2008, Kosovo announced its independence from Serbia. By the end of 2008, 52 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and other EU members, have recognized Kosovo’s independence. The declaration of independence was passed unanimously by the Kosovar Parliament, which also selected a new flag, showing the shape of the country in gold, on a blue background, with six white stars. On April 9, 2008, Kosovo’s Parliament adopted a new constitution. On June 15, 2008, the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo entered into force. (You can access the constitution in English, Albanian or Serbian).
Since commencing its program in Kosovo, ABA ROLI has been primarily focused on the establishment of basic legal institutions in the post-conflict environment; on the promotion of self-sustaining training for judges, attorneys and prosecutors; and on conducting a war crimes documentation project. ABA ROLI has worked on several major projects including:
- training for all newly-appointed judges in Kosovo and the creation of the Kosovo Judges Association in May 2001.
- the design of a two-week, intensive course on human rights standards and on Kosovar criminal and criminal procedure laws conducted in Prague.
- capacity building projects with the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates and Kosovo Judges Association through the Regional Institution Building Advisor program.
- publication of the Judicial Reform Index (Volume I in 2002, Volume II in 2004, and Volume III in 2007), of the Legal Profession Reform Index (Volume I in 2004 and Volume II in 2007), and of the first Legal Education Reform Index (Volume I in 2008).
- continuing legal education programs.
ABA Rule of Law Initiative in Kosovo focuses its work primarily in two areas: Legal Education Reform and Civic Education, and Legal Profession Reform.
Click here to view a brochure about the ABA Rule of Law Initiative’s work in Kosovo.
