A Distance Learning System for the judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been introduced through the EU funded project “Strengthening the BiH Judiciary”, and presented in Sarajevo today.

The purpose of the distance learning training system is to allow for on-line web interface training for judges, prosecutors and legal associates throughout BIH to enhance and further develop their knowledge in both criminal and civil justice. As an on-line service, significant resource savings are expected in terms of time and financial expenditure. The ultimate aim is that those who follow the training are provided with the knowledge and expertise to improve the quality and timeliness of judicial service delivery for the citizens of BiH.

The project has been implemented by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of BiH (HJPC), in cooperation with the Judicial and Prosecutorial Training Centre of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Judicial and Prosecutorial Training Centre of Republika Srpska and the Judicial Commission of Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As a result, a distance learning software solution has been introduced and tailored to suit the training needs of judges, prosecutors and legal associates in the BiH judiciary. It has been placed under the ownership of the Judicial and Prosecutorial Training Centres as institutions responsible for providing continued training for judicial office holders in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The introduction of the Distance Learning System will enable judges and prosecutors to undergo training via web interface, regardless of the training site distance. Furthermore, judicial office holders in BiH will, for the first time, be able to individually organise their own time devoted to work and training while benefiting from various print and multimedia materials available through the system.

With a view to ensuring effective utilisation of the Distance Learning System and its promotion among judges, prosecutors and legal associates, ten thematic training modules have been prepared along with the development of the system, covering the most relevant topics for judges and prosecutors in BiH, and aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness of courts and prosecutor’s offices performance throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The project “Strengthening the BiH Judiciary”, has been funded from the European Union’s IPA 2010 annual programme for the justice sector in BiH which has also included the supply of information and communication technology for courts and prosecutor offices throughout BiH. The total value of the IPA 2010 annual justice programme was 4 million euro.

Over the past decade, the European Union has provided over 40 million euro for the justice sector throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.