Meeting with judges from the United States of America

In the context of cooperation with the Embassy of the United States of America, today at the School of Magistrates was organized a work visit of two judges from the United States of America, honorable Trina Higgins, Prosecutor of the United States for the District of Utah and Mr. Robert Shelby, Head of the Court of the United States for the District of Utah. The two American judges were accompanied by Mr. David Backman, Resident Legal Advisor, OPDAT and Mr. John Kastning, Director of the INL in the Embassy of the United States of America.  

American judges, in the School of Magistrates, were welcomed by the Director of the School, Mr. Arben Rakipi, Mr. Sokol Berberi, responsible lecturer for the Initial Formation, Mr. Vangjel Kosta, responsible lecturer for the Continuous Formation, as well as four candidates for magistrate of the profile judge and prosecutor, in the third year of studies.  

The meeting was realized in the context of the interaction of American institutions of justice with the institutions of Albania and was focused on the informing regarding the School of Magistrates and the system of the preparation of future judges and prosecutors to school. Friends were informed regarding the mission and duties of the school, with the admission of candidates for magistrate to school, the program of initial formation and the program of professional continuous formation for magistrates. During the meeting, at the same time, was explained also the decisive role of the activity of the school in the support of the reform in justice and more concretely in the completion of vacancies to make easier the overload of our justice system. 

American judges considered the fact of the strong connection of the School of Magistrates with magistrates in duty, making them part of the teaching and training staff of the school, as one of the best experiences of the training of professionals of law. At the same time, they considered also the fact of the existence of a special institution, such as the School, for the training of prosecutors with essential skills to exercise the duty after graduation.