STRENGTHENING LEGAL EDUCATION AND JUDICIAL TRAINING IN THE MALDIVES: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

The article discusses the law and policy reform activities carried out by the Asian Development Bank with its focus on countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and the legal interventions which impact upon citizens, private sector, and state institutions. The technical assistance seeks to strengthen legal education and judicial training in the Maldives. Under this project, the country’s recently-established Faculty of Shariah and Law was strengthened to provide legal education to students wishing to study shariah and law and obtain a law degree. Also, judicial training was provided to the country’s judges and island magistrates to carry out their duties in hearing cases and applying law and court procedures. The article postulates the need to take into account and address the local needs, context and sensitivities, rather than merely transplanting a western legal system which would otherwise not work for the country and its peoples where shariah is an important legal system. It also highlights the need to adopt a flexible approach in addressing problems and challenges rising during project execution to ensure realization of effective results. The article offers some thoughts and reflections on the lessons learnt for consideration in any developing country on a similar project to strengthen legal education and judicial training.