AMBASSADOR SPEECHES

Remarks for the opening of the Case Management Workshop conducted by U.S Specialist Judge David Campbell .Monday,July 23, 2007. 9:00 a.m.Cumberland Hotel,Lobatse.

Your Lordship the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Julian Nganunu

 

Your Honor, the Attorney-General, Dr. Athalia Molokomme

 

Your Excellency, the UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Kristan Shoultz

 

Judges of the High Court

 

The Registrar and Master of the High Court, Mr. Godfrey Nthomiwa

 

Respected participants and invited guests to this seminar

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

It gives me great pleasure to be given this opportunity to welcome you on behalf of the U.S. Embassy to this workshop.  We have been looking forward to this occasion for some time, and now that the workshop is actually taking place, we have the satisfaction that comes with the realization of a project long in the planning.  We are delighted that Judge David Campbell is here with his wife, as well as Judge Clifford Wallace, who has visited Botswana before.

 

As to the substance of the workshop, we are convinced that it will have stimulating content, and be well presented.  It is no secret that Botswana’s judicial system is operating on overload; that case management requires improvement if justice is not to be deferred.  You are much more familiar with the difficulties and the obstacles within the system.  I do not want to imply that such obstacles are unique to Botswana:  all judicial systems grapple with case load management, and in the United States, our federal, state, and local courts struggle constantly to cope with the ever increasing workload, and not always successfully.

 

One key to solving some of these problems is to exchange experiences; to compare best practices and to learn from each other.  Among the implements to be found in the judicial toolkit are Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms – ADR for short—as well as judicial case management.  I understand that your workshop today will focus on case management, with a view to enabling judges to control and speed up the litigation process.

 

We have the benefit of Judge Clifford Wallace’s previous visit to Botswana—in January this year.   His report detailed recommendations as to how ADR can be incorporated into the judicial system.  We are delighted that the High Court has supported his visit and that he will be participating in this week’s proceedings as well.

 

I am certain that all of you, familiar as you are with your system, are also cognizant of the opportunities as well as the hurdles await as you work to make your system more effective.  I know you are aware of the importance of public relations and public education as you bring about changes.  A communication strategy, for your colleagues in the legal community as well as for the general public will be an important component in improving the delivery of justice.

 

The rule of law is a basic tenet of any democratic country, requiring an independent judiciary that functions reasonably efficiently. We in the U.S. Embassy are delighted to assist Botswana in its efforts to improve the efficiency of its judicial system, in this case by supporting the visit of Judge David Campbell. 

 

There are many other exchanges between our countries.  I would name but two: the International Visitor program, through which young Batswana leaders are able to participate in a study tour of the United States on a particular subject.   In addition, I am sure you are all familiar with the Fulbright academic exchange program, which brings Batswana to the U.S. and American lecturers and students to Botswana.  For example, in the coming academic year, two Fulbright lecturers will be attached to the University of Botwana:  one, perhaps of interest to this group, is Dr. Louise McKinney of Case Western University, who will be in the Department of Law, and working with organizations in Botswana to assist in developing an effective legal aid program.

 

We consider ourselves partners with you in strengthening the institutions of a democratic government.  We welcome suggestions and proposals from Botswana’s Justice Administration as to how we can sustain our cooperation in your continuing effort to improve the Botswana judicial system.  Meanwhile, I wish you all success in this week’s proceedings.