Humans are by nature social animals. They rely on interaction and community to survive. However, when you live together, disputes are bound to arise. This is when Judges listen to the facts, analyze them and provide justice to the wronged and to the society at large. This integral role, which the Judges play is of paramount importance and it is crucial that only a person of high caliber and moral values become a Judge.
The formal judicial education programmes are essential for gaining information and insights; stimulating awareness of changing social and economic perspectives and values; and generally, of enabling the judges to keep abreast of all those facets of judicial work in changing times.
The Judiciary is a service-oriented Institution who derives its legitimacy from public trust and confidence. The exclusive selection for Justices, Judges, Judicial Officers and Law Clerks is an arduous test mandated to allow only the best of individuals into the system. However, the selection is not the end; it is imperative that these appointees are provided with judicial training where they can enhance their knowledge, skills, and competence.
The Bhutan National Legal Institute has recognized the importance of Judicial Induction and Orientation Programme for the new appointees of the Judiciary and introduced its first judicial orientation in 2017. Since then, judicial orientation is one of the mandatory activities of the Institute.
The Mission and Objectives
The main objectives of imparting judicial induction training for the newly appointed Judges and Judicial Officers, inter alia, include:
- To enhance the particular knowledge and skills of the newly appointed Judicial Officers and assist them perform their duties and functions efficiently;
- To ease the path of a newly appointed Judicial Officers for a smooth transition to their judicial office through provision of education and training;
- To promote a judicial disposition relating to the attitudes, values, ethics and conduct appropriate to judicial office;
- To build institutional spirit and a sense of common purpose;
- To recognize the problems confronting the Judiciary and problems faced by the people and find better solutions to access to justice;
- To consolidate and develop the skills required for judging, and techniques of problem-solving;
- To encourage and provide an opportunity for participants to review and critically reflect on their judicial experience; and
- To provide a framework for collegial interaction and the exchange of experience.