USAID SUPPORTS THE DISTRICT COURT OF DURRES (February 28, 2008)

Today the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a memorandum of Understanding with the District Court of Durres to support efforts to improve court performance, accountability and transparency. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mr. Ervin Metalla, Chief Judge of the District Court of Durres and Mr. John Brannaman, USAID Program Officer, in a ceremony organized for the occasion.

The Project will assist the District Court of Durres for a period of three years. Assistance and support will include activities such as: introducing computerized systems for registration and maintaining an accurate trial record, developing or upgrading existing court websites with clear information such as court contact information, trial schedules, published decisions; expanding the public distribution of case decisions in both electronic and paper copy; improving archiving systems and review standards and procedures related to them; developing and implementing a community outreach strategy; establishing standards and structures to better respond to the public and media requests for information; defining the standards of court performance; establishing/improving case processing and delay reduction systems and standards including assignment systems; expanding access of judges to legal acts and regulations through the use of database and  electronic case management systems; and training of judges and court administrative staff.