On 14 and 15 February 2024, the Centre for Law and Society Studies (CLSS) of Benghazi University hosted a conference in Benghazi to mark the end of the second research phase of 'Access to Justice in Libya' (A2JiL). Researchers and senior experts presented papers on their research and insights from this phase, focusing on 'justice providing institutions' like courts, public prosecution, public lawyers directorates, the administrative monitoring authority, and the Wisemen Council of Shahat.

The first set of three papers focused on public lawyers and wisemen councils, whom litigants often turn to with serious legal problems. In the first session, Prof. Abdul Karim Mustafa, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, presented on the Wisemen Council of Shahat. In the second session Dr. Jazia Shaitir, Benghazi University, presented on the Public Lawyers in Benghazi. In the third session, Dr Ghada Al Habib, University of Tripoli, presented on the Public Prosecution in Tripoli.

The second set of three papers focused rather on criminal cases, with case studies of the Prosecution and the Felonies Circuit. In the fourth session, Dr. Tariq Al-Jumli, Benghazi University, presented his study on the Felonies Circuit at the Benghazi Court of Appeal. In the fifth session, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Hadiri, University of Sabha, presented his research on the Public Prosecutor's Office in Sabha. In the sixth session, Dr Fathi Aqila, University of Benghazi, presented his paper on the Public Prosecution in Benghazi.

The third set of three papers focused on lower courts. In the seventh session, Dr Taher Hajj, University of Tripoli, presented on the Zliten Primary Court. In the eight session, Dr Ahmed Al-Radama, Wadi Al-Shati University, presented on Sabha's District Court. In the ninth session, Dr Al-Mutassam Al-Hatch, Benghazi University, presented on the Ajdabiya Primary Court.

The fourth set of papers began with two by Judge Ali Abu Raas, Supreme Court judge; the first on the administrative circuit of the Tripoli Court of Appeal, and the second on the constitutional circuit of the Supreme Court. The twelfth and last research paper was presented by Dr. Jazia Al-Mismari, Benghazi University, on the Administrative Monitoring Authority in Benghazi.

In addition to these research papers, the conference saw the presentation of studies prepared by several Supreme Court-judges on aspects of Libyan judiciary. Judge Al-Mabrouk Al-Fakhry presented a paper on criminal justice, Judge Juma’a Abu Zeid presented on the Sharia judiciary, Judge Faraj presented on civil justice, and Judge Khalifa Al-Jahmi presented on the administrative justice. Lastly, Prof Al-Kouni Abouda presented a study on administrative committees with judicial jurisdiction, and gave a public lecture on the sidelines of the conference, titled "Libyan law and rules of fair trial" in the framework of the cultural season of the Center for Law and Society Studies for 2024.

The conference enjoyed a distinguished audience, with academics, practitioners and other interested parties in attendance. In closing, CLSS-Director and A2JiL-project leader Dr. Sulaiman Ibrahim, Director of the Center for Law and Society Studies, expressed his happiness with the success of the conference. He noted that the observations and questions raised by the audience will be used to complete the research papers and the phase's report and recommendations.

For more coverage of the event, please visit: https://law.uob.edu.ly/ar/the-...

Photo credit: 24 Hour