ABA ROLI Publishes First Legal Education Reform Index in Kosovo

November 2008

The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) presented the findings of its first Legal Education Reform Index (LERI) assessment for Kosovo on October 22 at the Grand Hotel in Pristina. The ABA ROLI-developed LERI is a tool for examining a nation’s legal education system and monitoring progress towards establishing a legal education system that meets international standards.

Around 130 people, including representatives from the Univeristy of Pristina (UP), Kosovo private univeristies, Kosovo Chamber of Advocates, Kosovo Judicia lCouncil, and local and foreign governmental and non-governmental institutions, attended an event celebrating the publication. Supreme Court President Rexhep Haxhimusa was the guest of honor.

In his presentation, David Sip, ABA ROLI country director, provided an overview of the LERI assessment, including its methodology and the findings ofthe Kosovo assessment. A panel discussion, featuring representatives from the Kosovo Accreditation Agency, UP, ABA ROLI, and the UP Law Faculty, followed Sip’s presentation.

“Our hope is that this publication and the LERI findings will help guide other donors, international organizations and Kosovo Education Institutions to set priorities relating to legal education reform in Kosovo,” said Sip.

Professor Emeritus Neil Franklin, an independent assessor, and ABA ROLI’s team in Kosovo were involved in data collection and legislation review. They interviewed various actors in the legal education community to draft theassessment. The report’s initial findings were reviewed by numerous domesticand international partners.

“To best plan for needed changes in legal education, we must understand theactual state of the legal education system in Kosovo—the Legal Education Reform Index provides that information,” said USAID Director in Kosovo Patricia Rader.
The report is a continuation of ABA ROLI’s ongoing work with the UP law facultyto help them prepare for the accreditation process.

For more information about our work in Kosovo, contact the ABA Rule of Law Initiative at <[email protected]>.