On October 10, 2017, the Rule of Law Collaborative (ROLC) at the University of South Carolina held the JUSTRAC symposium, Practical Approaches to Strengthening Judicial Institutions, at The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC.
This public symposium brought together policymakers, scholars, and practitioners to examine practical interventions that can strengthen judicial institutions. The symposium’s keynote speaker, the Honorable Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Former Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice, discussed the challenges of maintaining judicial independence and integrity in the face of political and social pressures. The symposium also included three interactive panels, focused on judicial independence, judicial integrity and the role of civil society in strengthening judicial institutions. The event utilized case studies from experienced development professionals who have worked with judiciaries in the developing world. Speakers included judicial professionals, administrators, and other experienced practitioners who spoke directly to specific programs that have strengthened judicial institutions in a range of country settings. Speakers provided lessons learned from both donor and implementation perspectives, and some had the unique perspective of operating inside the judiciary. The panels were structured in an interactive, discussion-style format with audience question and answer periods. A networking lunch was also included.