Governance of JuSTICE Project - Our team

Mr. Khamphone Sipaseuth
Director General, Department of International Cooperation./ Director of Project Management Unit
Mr. Khamphone Sipaseuth holds leadership roles as Director General of the International Cooperation Department, and the Director of the Project Management Unit (PMU) for the JuSTICE Project. In this capacity, Mr. Khamphone exercises executive authorization and approval overall project activities, ensuring strategic direction, operational efficiency and successful implementation of the project.
After his master graduation on Law at the University in Uzbekistan, Mr. Khamphone's distinguished career at the Ministry of Justice spans over three decades, marked by progressive advancement and deep technical engagement. Commencing as a technical officer in the Law Dissemination Department (1990-1994), he quickly rose to Head of Division within the same department (1994-2000). He further expanded his expertise as Head of Division in the Department of Law (2000-2003) and the Research and International Cooperation Department (2003-2005). His leadership continued to take an active role as Deputy Director General of the Institute (2005-2007). From 2007 to 2022, Mr. Khamphone demonstrated strong leaderships to serve as Director General of the Court Registry Department, the Department of Enforcement of Judgments, and the Permanent Secretary Office of the Ministry of Justice.

Mrs. Saykhit Visisombath
Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation
Deputy Director of Project Management Unit
Mrs. Saykhit's career at the Ministry of Justice spans over 25 years, presenting a strong leadership and in-depth expertise. Beginning in the Law Dissemination Department, she progressively advanced, assuming roles as Deputy Division Head and then Deputy Dean of the Central Part Law School until 2013. Her experience in knowledge dissemination and training delivery laid a strong foundation for her subsequent leadership for project technical input.
Since her appointment as Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department in 2015, Mrs. Saykhit has provided decisive oversight to the JuSTICE project. Leveraging her Master's degree in Public Administration from Flinders University (2006-2007), Australia, and a Higher Diploma in Political Science from the National University of Laos, she expertly blends academic insight with practical expertise. Her leadership is instrumental in ensuring the project's effective and high-quality implementation, driving the strengthening of justice institutions and capacity building, and reflecting her profound commitment to its achievement.

Mr. Khamphou Thilakoune
Acting Permanent Secretary, Member of the Project Management Unit, Ministry of Justice
Mr. Khamphou THIRAKUL is the Acting Chief of Cabinet at the Ministry of Justice in Lao PDR, bringing significant legal expertise to the role. Mr. THIRAKUL assumed this position in January 2025. His career at the Ministry of Justice reflects an active progression through roles of increasing responsibility.
Prior to his current position, he served as Deputy Chief of Permanent Secretary Office (2017-2024) and Director of the Criminal Law Division (2012-2014), gaining extensive experience in legal administration, policy development, and legislative processes. Earlier in his career, he also served as a Legal Officer and Project Manager of the Legal Sector Master Plan to the Ministry of Justice. Through his academic background, Mr. Khamphou holds a Master of Law degree from Nagoya University, Japan, and Bachelor's degrees in Law and English from the National University of Laos.

Mrs. Viengvilay Bounmany
Mrs. Viengvilay BOUNMANY, Deputy Director of Division, Department of International Cooperation Coordinator of Project Management Unit
Mrs. Viengvilay takes an important role in supporting the JuSTICE project's implementation, serving in a crucial project coordination role within the PMU. Her dedication to convene strong partnerships with key stakeholders is instrumental in successfully executing the project's various activities throughout and beyond the project timeframe.
Her contributions directly support the project's objectives, ensuring impactful outcomes for the Lao community. Mrs. Viengvilay's expertise is rooted in her strong background in legislation and development, acquired through her Master's degree in Law from the National University of Vietnam. Since joining the Ministry of Justice in 2014, she has gained extensive experience in partnership cooperation, a skill set that proves invaluable in facilitating the smooth implementation of the JuSTICE project.

Dr. Perrine Simon
International Technical Assistant – Team Leader

Patthanaphone Nammalath
National Technical Assistant (NTA)
Patthanaphone is a young and active legal professional with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations. After completing his studies, he pursued a career in legal development, gaining three years of experience in the field. He previously worked with the Luxembourg Development Agency and later joined a University of Luxembourg project, contributing to the strengthening of legal academia.
Currently, Patthanaphone serves as the National Technical Assistant, overseeing components 1, 2, and 3 of the Project. In this role, he plays a crucial part in coordinating with partners and assisting the International Technical Assistant and another National Technical Assistant in project operations. His responsibilities span the entire project cycle—from planning and implementation to reporting—while also providing insights from a national perspective. He ensures that activities are carried out within the set timeline and in alignment with project objectives.
His work is dedicated to strengthening judicial institutions by enhancing the skills and efficiency of the Ministry of Justice and judicial authorities.

Khamphouvieng Ekaphanh
National Technical Assistant – Climate and Environmental Justice (NTA-CEJ)
Mr. Khamphouvieng Ekaphanh is a dedicated environmental law professional with a strong passion for protecting natural resources and promoting sustainable policies. With five years of legal experience in various organizations, he has gained extensive knowledge in environmental protection law, forestry law, and land law. His experience also involves land use planning, customary land tenure, investment project monitoring, regulatory compliance, and corporate sustainability. Through his commitment to legal advocacy and environmental stewardship, he strives to ensure responsible resource management and the effective implementation of environmental regulations.
Khamphouvieng holds an LLM in Business Law (2025) and a Master’s degree in International Economics (2018) from the National University of Laos.
He currently serves as the National Technical Assistant for Climate and Environmental Justice (CEJ) for the JuSTICE Project, supporting the International Climate and Environmental Justice Expert in managing and coordinating Component 4 of CEJ. His role involves detailed planning, implementation, and reporting on CEJ, as well as facilitating collaboration between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and legal institutions in Lao PDR.

Ms. Thipphavanh Virakhom
Learning and Monitoring Impact Assistant and Communication Officer (LIMACO)
With over two and a half years of experience at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lao PDR, Thipphavanh brings strong expertise in project support, monitoring, and communications within the development sector. She has contributed significantly to initiatives under the Rule of Law and Access to Justice Portfolio, with a particular focus on advancing the rights of women and girls in accessing justice.
Thipphavanh holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the Faculty of Law and Political Science, equipping her with a solid foundation in international affairs, public policy, and political science. Her academic background, combined with practical experience at a leading international organization, has cultivated a strong commitment to promoting impactful, evidence-based development work.
As the Learning and Monitoring Impact Assistant and Communications Officer (LIMACO) for the JuSTICE Project, Thipphavanh plays a key role in ensuring the effectiveness of project activities. She supports the monitoring and evaluation of training initiatives, develops and applies tools for assessing impact, and contributes to stakeholder engagement through communications and content creation. Passionate about meaningful change, she is dedicated to driving positive outcomes and amplifying the project’s visibility and impact across Lao PDR.

Ms. Mayulath Luanglatbandith
Administration and Finance Manager
Mayulath is a seasoned development professional with over 15 years of experience in financial management, project coordination, and institutional capacity-building in the development sector. She has extensive expertise in financial management and project coordination, particularly in legal and judicial reform initiatives, with several years of experience working on rule of law projects.
She has contributed to multiple UNDP rule of law and legal reform projects, including the Strategic Support to Strengthen the Rule of Law in Lao PDR (3S-RoL) Project and the Support Project to the Legal Master Plan (SPLSMP), serving as both coordinator and financial officer. Additionally, she has extensive experience managing donor-funded projects, having worked on Global Fund programs focused on HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis with the Promotion for Education and Development Association (PEDA). She is passionate about strengthening financial systems and ensuring sustainable development through sound financial governance.
Mayulath holds a Master’s Degree in Financial Management from the National University of Laos and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Currently, she serves as the Administration and Finance Manager (AFM) for the Judicial Services Training, Institutions, and Capacity Enhancement (JuSTICE) Project, funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD). In this role, she supervises administrative functions, procurement, and budget planning, while also supporting ITA and NTAs on project implementation, support project operations and ensuring compliance with donor policies and national regulations.

Ms. Vilanouth Bounithiphon
Administration and Finance Assistant
Ms. Vilanouth Bounithiphon is a dedicated Administrative and Finance Assistant with extensive experience in project administration, financial management, and institutional support. With over seven years of expertise, she has played a key role as a Senior Administrative and Financial Support Officer for the Strategic Support to Strengthen the Rule of Law in Lao PDR (3S-ROL) Project. This initiative, which evolved from the Support Project for the Implementation of the Legal Sector Master Plan (SPLSMP), was funded by UNDP to advance legal sector reforms and strengthen governance in Laos.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel Management from the Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Laos. Currently, Ms. Vilanouth serves as an Administrative and Finance Assistant (AFA) for the Support to the Judicial Services Training, Institutions, and Capacity Enhancement (JuSTICE) Project, where she also provides essential support across multiple projects.
Passion about justice and legal empowerment, Vilanouth takes pride in being part of the JuSTICE project, which works to enhance legal knowledge and services for disadvantaged communities. Through her contributions, she is committed to expanding access to justice and fostering peace in the region.

Matthew Baird
Climate and Environmental Justice (CEJ) Expert
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum ullamcorper, augue non tempus mattis, ligula magna facilisis eros, a aliquam sem lorem ac diam. Integer volutpat, libero eu consequat rhoncus, mauris elit euismod magna, non mollis erat tortor nec erat. Curabitur convallis commodo leo. Suspendisse et varius enim. Integer non nunc sit amet diam vulputate dapibus tristique eu orci. Ut ac magna pellentesque erat molestie malesuada vulputate lobortis massa. Nam tristique sagittis sapien, eu faucibus augue aliquam feugiat.
Cras condimentum blandit ligula in pellentesque. Vestibulum pulvinar lacus id elit molestie, id rutrum sem blandit. Nam arcu neque, sagittis vitae metus sit amet, elementum mollis felis. Curabitur nec odio aliquet erat tempor efficitur a consectetur erat. Duis finibus ornare elit a tincidunt. Proin venenatis pellentesque orci quis consequat. Aliquam erat volutpat. Nam urna tellus, rhoncus sed mauris ut, lobortis ultricies odio. Nam at libero vel leo cursus sollicitudin et id arcu. Praesent turpis neque, consectetur eget leo eu, porttitor molestie enim. Vivamus commodo nisi eu arcu convallis, non blandit orci volutpat. Aliquam tempor bibendum eros, non gravida eros ultrices non. Pellentesque vitae enim laoreet, pellentesque diam non, congue lacus. Suspendisse pulvinar egestas justo, vel elementum orci consectetur sollicitudin. Nulla a nibh commodo, lacinia tortor gravida, luctus ante.

Ms. Souphavanh SENSOUPHANH
Trainee
Souphavanh SENSOUPHANH is a Project trainee since August 2024. She is currently a student and a dedicated advocate for legal development and environmental justice, focusing on strengthening the rule of law and sustainable environmental governance in the Mekong region. With a background in International Relations, she is particularly interested in the intersection of law, policy, and environmental sustainability to ensure equitable access to justice for communities affected by environmental and social challenges. Souphavanh has actively participated in social development projects with government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations to address pressing societal issues.
Also, she is a member of the EU Youth Consultative Group, advising the EU Delegation in Laos on policies that reflect the needs of Lao youth, and has initiated platforms for youth engagement.
Currently, she is interning with the JuSTICE Project funded by AFD, Through her involvement, she assists Justice’s staff in several areas that aim to enhance the rule of law in Lao PDR, focusing on judicial institutions and environmental law.
Additionally, Souphavanh is also actively involved in the Sustainable Mekong Research Network (SUMERNET) Young Professional Project with the Stockholm Environment Institute as the Young Professional Country Coordinator for Laos, she fosters collaboration between young professionals, researchers, and policymakers to address environmental governance challenges in the Mekong River Basin.