FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

The World Bank
Europe and Central Asia Region

News Release No. 2001/058/ECA	Contact: Gina Ciagne (202) 458-4166
Email: Gciagne@worldbank.org
www.worldbank.org/developmentnews 	

WORLD BANK HELPS DEVELOP INDEPENDENT, ACCESSIBLE JUDICIARY IN ARMENIA

	WASHINGTON, September 15, 2000The World Bank has approved a US$11.40 million equivalent (SDR8.6 million) for a Judicial Reform Project in Armenia.  The project will assist in the development of an independent, accessible, and efficient judiciary in the Republic of Armenia, which is essential to governance, rule of law, and investment climate.  

	The project includes the following components:

•	Strengthening the Institutional Capacity of the Judiciary.  This component will support the development of self-governing bodies of the judiciary (specifically the Council of Court Chairmen and its Administrative Office); development of a modern court administration system; and design and implementation of new case management models; and automation of courts.  

•	Infrastructure Rehabilitation.  This component will ensure rehabilitation of court facilities in a way that would make a sound contribution to overall judicial reform.  It aims to improve working conditions for judges and court personnel, enhance security, ensure efficient planning of the facilities, provide better access to the courts, ensure energy efficient use of building systems, etc.  

•	Training of Judges and Court Personnel.  This component focuses on providing assistance to the Judicial Training Center which was established in 1999.  In this area, the Bank is coordinating with other donors, particularly the EU-TACIS program.  

•	Improving Enforcement of Court Decisions.  This component targets: institutional strengthening of the Enforcement Service (established under the Ministry of Justice); professional development of Enforcement Service staff; and automation of the Enforcement Service.  

•	Legal Information.  Through this component, the project will provide assistance in strengthening the institutional and operational capacity of agencies responsible for maintaining authoritative texts of official legal materials, their systematization and codification; developing an electronic legal database; developing a Government strategy for facilitating competitive and efficient dissemination of legal information; and improving access to essential legal information by judges and other legal professionals.  

•	Public Awareness and Public Education Campaign.  A survey of public awareness and public attitudes towards the legal and judicial system in Armenia was conducted for the preparation of this component which will include the development of a comprehensive public relations strategy for the judiciary and establishment of a PR office within the Council of Court Chairmen, journalism training, dissemination of legal information to the population, and judicial surveys.

•	Project Management.  Daily project implementation will be carried out by a Project Implementation Unit located within the Ministry of Justice. Among other tasks, the Unit will provide technical assistance and support to the working groups and other agencies involved in project implementation; carry out procurement for project activities; disseminated project-related information; and provide information on project implementation and interact with other government agencies, NGOs, and the public.  

The total cost of the project is US$12.2 million including US$800,000 from the Armenian Government.  The credit will be disbursed on standard IDA terms with a maturity of 40 years including a 5-year grace period.  Since Armenia joined the World Bank in 1992, commitments to the country total approximately US$611.4 million for 22 operations.

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