Elements of Judicial Reform: Course Overview

Richard E. MessickJanuary 11, 2005

Course Objectives

•Deepen Dialogue with Country Counterparts and Bank Management

•Better Design, Evaluation and Supervision of Bank Projects

Three Myths

•Bank experience limited

•Projects poor

•Results take years/decades

Bank Lending ’92 – ‘04

159

113

69

4937

15

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

LAC ECA AFR SAR EAP MENA

mil

lion

s of

dol

lars

Ratings: Investment Loans

Ven II

Bolivia

Ven I WB Gaza

Ec’dor

Yem Kazak

Overall Hs S S U S U U

Bank S S S U S S S

Borrower Hs S S Hu S S U

Venezuela Project Results

0100200300400500600700800

Barquesimeto CiudadBolivar

Median days to resolve case

Impact of Reform on Debt Collection Cases

1999

2002

Lessons

• Political dimension – Bangladesh commercial courts

• Interest group resistance – India lawyers

• Classic TA approach wanting

Topics Covered

I. Diagnostics & Evaluations

II. Project ComponentsIII. Emerging Areas

Diagnostics & Evaluations

1. Empirical Methods2. Judicial Independence3. Data Sources

Project Components

1. Courthouse Design/Rehab2. Court Management3. ADR/Case Management4. Access to Justice

Emerging Areas

1. Crime and Violence2. Performance

Indicators/Budgeting3. Regulation of Legal Services

Additional Topics to Cover

?

Sources for Information

•Web Sites•Readers•PREM Notes•PS Legal TG

Course Method

•Divide into six groups Day One

•Present recommendations to Filipandia CMU on Day Three

Academy Awards Nominations

• Most overrated reform• Most under-appreciated reform• Least understood issue• Most confusing issue• Biggest mistake donors have made• Best reform donors have pushed• ?