ABA ROLI Sponsors New Moot Court Facility in Kosovo

November 16 2007

A ribbon cutting ceremony on October 9, 2007 marked the completion of construction of the newly inaugurated Moot Courtroom at the University of Pristina Law Faculty in Kosovo.

The redesigned space holds a courtroom and offices where students will be working with actual clients on real cases. It is also equipped with a translation booth and electronic equipment to conduct legal proceedings. The accompanying offices have also been supplied with the required IT, communications and translation equipment to act as a legal clinic for law students. The facility will be used by, among other classes, the simulation clinics, which ABA ROLI has supported since 2005, and by a trial advocacy classand new live-client clinic, implemented by ABA ROLI and supported by OPDAT.

Dean of Pristina Law Faculty Hava Bujupi-Ismajli, University Rector Enver Hasani, Hon. Judge John M. Walker, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the Deputy Chief of the US Office in Pristina (USOP) Alex Laskaris, were the first to enter the newly inaugurated Moot Courtroom. The project was implemented with the support of USOP and USAID, in cooperation withthe University of Pristina Law Faculty and ABA ROLI. The approximate cost forthe construction of the courtroom was $300,000. 

In a speech delivered after the ribbon cutting, Judge Walker, who is also aboard member of CEELI Institute, noted that this was an important project notonly for law students and professors but also for the Kosovo people. “Building this great working facility, you are investing in future leaders in the justice sector,” Walker said.