From 9 to 13 December 2024, the JuSTICE Project organised a five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for 25 judicial trainers from the People’s Supreme Court (PSC), Centre Region Court, Vientiane Capital People’s Court, and the National Institute of Justice. This was the first dedicated ToT initiative designed to build practical training skills among judges and court educators in Lao PDR.
Delivered by international legal education experts Dr. Lawrence Siry and Dr. Hajer Rouidi, the training introduced adult learning principles tailored to the judicial context. A strong emphasis was placed on interactive methodologies, including case studies, problem-based learning (PBL), and courtroom simulations such as mock trials and moot courts.
Throughout the training, participants explored effective ways to structure legal reasoning using the IRAC method – an approach that helps learners organise their analysis by identifying the Issue, stating the relevant Rule, providing Analysis, and reaching a Conclusion. Practical group exercises allowed participants to design and facilitate case scenarios, take part in role plays, and provide structured feedback to peers.
The training was highly appreciated by participants, who reported gaining valuable new skills they plan to use in their own teaching practice. Many expressed interest in future sessions, particularly on advanced techniques for creating case scenarios and managing interactive exercises.
This initial ToT lays the groundwork for broader capacity-building among judicial educators and supports the JuSTICE Project’s goal of promoting practice-oriented, learner-centred legal education in Lao PDR.
