East African Court of Justice, 15th May 2023: The Judge President of the East African Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Nestor Kayobera on 15th May, 2023, launched the Trainings of legal professionals in the East African Community (EAC) on good governance and rule of law and launched the Revised Sourcebook on Good Governance and Rule of Law in East African Community & The Litigators’ Manual on litigating before the East African Court of Justice.
During the launch at the EAC Headquarters, His Lordship congratulated Senior Counsel Francis Gimara, the Director of Programs, Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) and his Team for organizing these important Trainings for the Advocates in EAC Partner States.
The Judge President noted that this will be the first training of Advocates from the Region undertaken by CEPIL, which will go a long way in enhancing the capacity of lawyers in the region, particularly those appearing before and engaging in any other way with the Court.
His Lordship urged CEPIL to consider training the Attorneys General and other key government officials who are the key players in the execution of Good Governance and Rule of Law. He further encouraged CEPIL to also consider training both Private and Government Lawyers, since they all appear before the Regional Court.
The Principal Judge, Justice Yohane Masara on his part also commended CEPIL for compiling the Revised Sourcebook on Good Governance and Rule of Law in East African Community & The Litigators’ Manual on litigating before the East African Court of Justice. He urged every judicial and legal practitioners to get a copy of the books and make good use of the as they are key in understanding the role of the Court, its Jurisprudence and the process of litigating before the Court. Justice Masara also commended litigants in the EACJ for continuously moving the court and enabling it to determine diverse subject areas.
Mr. Francis Gimara, the Director of Programs Centre for Public Interest Law, in his remarks, indicated that the Two Resource Texts will form a basis of the Trainings of Lawyers appearing or intending to appear before the EACJ. He said that the Sourcebook is a useful text on the jurisprudence of the EACJ & the Litigators’ Manual provides a quick guide to Advocates in EAC Partner States intending to litigate before the EAC Court.
Mr. Gimara informed the Judges that, this year’s Trainings have been scheduled as follows; from 18th -19 May, 2023 in the United Republic of Tanzania, 25th -26th May, 2023 in the Republic of Rwanda, 8th -9th June, 2023 in the Republic of Kenya, 15th – 16th June, 2023 in the Republic of Uganda and 4th-5th July 2023 in the Republic of Burundi. Mr. Gimara said that, CEPIL will also conduct the Trainings in the Republic of South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo later in the year.
Also In attendance were the Judges of the EACJ Appellate Division, the Deputy Registrar and Staff of the Court, as well as the Members of the Media.
For more information please contact:
Christine Mutimura,
Deputy Registrar,
East African Court of Justice.
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: 255-27-2162149
Email: cmwekesa@eachq.org