March 2012
Earlier this month, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) organized a training of trainers focusing on trial advocacy skills for 13 Georgian law professors. Conducted via video conference by a Hofstra University professor, the two-day training covered direct and cross-examination, and opening and closing arguments in an adversarial criminal justice system. Participants also discussed how to critique the work of students in these areas.
The training was part of ABA ROLI’s U.S. Department of State-supported criminal law reform program. The program assists with the implementation of the 2010 Criminal Procedure Code, which introduced adversarial criminal justice system to the country. As part of its efforts to support implementation, ABA ROLI strives to enhance the capacity of Georgian legal professionals and institutions to operate within the new criminal system. ABA ROLI’s coordination with law schools and professors focuses on employing innovative, practical skills-based interactive teaching methods to better prepare students.
ABA ROLI will publish a textbook to accompany the course on trial advocacy skills. Three universities will pilot the course this spring.
To learn more about our work in Georgia, contact the ABA Rule of Law Initiative at [email protected].