International Programs

Pacific Judicial Development Programme Phase II 2010-2015

The Pacific Judicial Development Programme Phase II was implemented between July 2010 and December 2015 with funding from New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The project continued to build on and consolidate the foundations of regional judicial development laid in previous years, transitioning to a program better informed by local research focusing on the beneficiaries' actual needs on a more integrated basis.

The goal and purpose of PJDP Phase II was to contribute to strengthening governance and the rule of law through enhanced access to justice and professional judicial officers who act independently and according to legal principles. Its purpose was to support PICs to enhance the professional competence of judicial officers and court officers, and the processes and systems that they use.

Key Results at a Glance

The Pacific Judicial Development Programme (PJDP) has improved the quality of justice across the Pacific in ways that are relevant, effective, efficient and sustainable. These improvements have been captured in the Programme Completion Report, and have a measurable impact on promoting a fairer society and improving human wellbeing in the Pacific.

	Citizens Live in Fairer Societies with Better Access to Justice (pdf - 511 kb) Citizens in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are more empowered to access and use the courts to redress injustice, and the courts are more responsive to the needs of the public seeking justice. "While some initiative may be local, the PJDP developed the initial concepts for these which inspired these local initiatives - PJDP provided the ignition key" Chief Justice Sapolu (Samoa)
	Judicial Leaders are Directing the Delivery of More Substantive Justice Outcomes (pdf - 392 kb) Courts are more proactively managing improvements with Chief Justices networking across the region to drive, plan and administer justice locally. "We use PJDP because we have confidence in it as a judicial programme which is unique in the world in the sense that it is regionally managed by a court. We have tremendously benefited from PJDP" Chief Justice Lunabek (Vanuatu)
	Public is Enabled to Demand Judicial Integrity, Transparency and Accountability (pdf - 433 kb) Improvements in professionalism, integrity and conduct have built public trust in the courts. The 15 "Cook Island Performance Indicators" and regular annual reporting equip courts and the public with knowledge and capacity to drive continuing improvements in judicial quality. PJDP has achieved phenomenal work in increasing capacities of judges and judicial officers as well as improving courts' processes and systems…" Chief Justice Ngiraklsong (Palau)
	Courts Administer and Deliver Justice More Efficiently (pdf - 277 kb) Courts are increasingly disposing of cases and reducing backlogs according to established time standards. Improved efficiency, and public awareness of this, is strengthening public trust and consolidating confidence in courts. "PJDP has been one of the best programs; I was very impressed from the beginning; there was no better way to maximise the use of resources." Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer (Solomon Islands)
	Continuing Improvements are Transforming Court Performance (pdf - 665 kb) Courts are more able to build capacity through experienced local trainers conducting sustainable judicial development across the region. "PJDP has built our confidence in our ability to do these things (judicial development) ourselves." Deputy Chief Justice Salika (PNG)

PJDP Phase II was structured by four overarching themes of access to justice, governance, systems and processes, and professional development, discussed in more detail below.

Access to Justice

The major outcomes of this component were measurable through improved access to justice by enabling the region's judicial leadership to provide equitable and timely access to justice administered competently and consistently.

Governance

The major outcomes of this component were measurable in terms of improved judicial governance and leadership through mechanisms that strengthened judicial independence and integrity, improved sustainability of judicial development, promoted leadership accountability and transparency and supported the creation of leadership networks.

Systems and Processes

The major outcomes of this component were measurable in terms of improved capabilities in judicial administration, the introduction of systematic judicial performance monitoring and annual reporting across the region, the implementation of case management principles in courts and the development of benchbooks.

Professional Development

The major outcomes of this component were measurable in terms of improved competence of judicial service providers across the region resulting from the enhanced supply of judicial development services using local trainers.

Further details and information are available on the PJDP website, and the resources, materials and toolkits that have been developed for regional use can be viewed and downloaded.