Bhutan

National Workshop on Judicial Education

With a view to establishing the first legal institute, the Royal Court of Justice, in Bhutan conducted a national workshop on Judicial Education from 17 to 19 April 2009 in Thimphu. Participants to the workshop included the judges of the High Court, District Courts, and subdistrict courts, in addition to legal officers from the mainline ministries, including representatives from the Office of Attorney General of Bhutan and Police officials. There were about 40 participants in the workshop.

The Chief Justice of Bhutan, Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye highlighted the need for the judiciary to ‘broaden their horizon and expose themselves to the galaxy of legal systems’ and said the workshop was a step towards establishing a legal institute which could provide continuing legal education to the Bhutanese legal fraternity.

Mr. Bakhodir Burkhanov, UNDP Resident Representative a.i, congratulated the Royal Court of Justice for taking the initiative to refresh the guardians of the law on international and national laws and sensitization on human rights and gender. He further highlighted the strong links between establishing democratic governance, reducing poverty and securing access to justice and said that democratic governance is undermined where access to justice is deficient. Mr. Burkhanov encouraged the judicial system in Bhutan to ensure that justice encompassed the poor and disadvantaged and they were not excluded from the decision making process.

Professor Nomita Aggrawal, Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi who was the resource person pointed out that the Legal Institute will act as a ‘think bank’ and as an additional chapter to the existing judicial system in Bhutan, supporting in the areas of research, workshops, seminars and discussions.

Participants were introduced to the Concept, Concern and Scope of Judicial Education, Basic principles of Law from National and International Perspectives, Judicial Attitudes and Values and Contemporary Legal Development-Role of Judges during the three-day workshop, organized with support from UNDP.