Questions for Focus Groups*
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Which conflicts are the most important and serious, or cause the most harm, and should or must be resolved?
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Which conflicts are most appropriate for non-judicial dispute resolution?
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Who is currently resolving the main types of conflicts that are most frequent or most harmful?
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What are the institutional structures and procedures of the non- judicial service providers identified above? For example: How do people get cases? How do they resolve them? How are decisions recorded? Where are records kept? How is compliance achieved? If there is a disagreement over the outcome, what are next steps or appeal process?
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What are the strengths and benefits current dispute resolution service providers and the help they provide?
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Weakness, challenges or barriers to the services provided by current dispute resolution providers?
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What are the connections between the different institutions, procedures and service providers? Are the connections clear? If not what could be done to improve them?
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Where are there gaps (what is missing) in what exists – institutions, procedures or service providers?
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What should be done to fill in gaps (what is missing)?
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What new institutions, procedures and service providers might be needed or desirable?
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What should be the focus of the MOJ in developing a pilot?
* This is a generic list of questions asked of participants in focus groups. It was adapted for specific attendees of focus groups – government officials; representatives from the justice sector; customary authorities; civil society actors and dispute resolution service users; and NGO, CBO and INGO providers of dispute resolution services.
References and Bibliography
Liberian Government Documents
Achieving 2015 Progress, Prospects, Constraints: Liberia’s Progress Towards the Millennium Development Goals. Liberia 2010 MDG Report. September, 2010.
An Act to Amend Chapters 17 of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised, Judiciary Law, Chapter 4, Relating to the Jurisdiction of the Debt Court; Chapter 7 Relating to the Magistrates Court and Related Matters. Monrovia, Liberia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Approved December 14, 2012 and printed May 22, 2013.
Act to Amend Title 26 of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised, Penal Law, Chapter 50 Related to Sentencing and Related Matters. Monrovia, Liberia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Approved December 14, 2012 and printed May 22, 2013.
Act to Create the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of the Republic of Liberia. Passed by the legislature on May 31st, 2012. http://www.informerliberia.net/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=442:traditional-councilgets-national-status-becomes-chief-and-elders-council-ofliberia&Itemid=61&tmpl=component&print=1; and
http://legislature.gov.lr/content/nat%E2%80%99l-traditional-council-gets-autonomous-status
An Act to Establish the Children’s Law of Liberia, 2011.
Executive Law, Ministry of Internal Affairs: Duties of the Minister, 3 LCLR12, s 25.2 (1972).
“Diversion Guidelines”, Monrovia, Liberia, Child Justice Forum, n.d,
Children’s Law of Liberia, 2011.
Findings of the Legal Working Group, As adopted on December 10, 2009, p. 8.
Government of Liberia. Liberia National Vision 2030. Draft Summary Report. Revised November 25, 2012.
Government of Liberia/UN Joint Programme on Sexual and Gender Based Violence, Supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation (SIDA). “In-depth Study of Reasons for High Incidence of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Liberia – Recommendations on Prevention and Response.” Monrovia, October 2011.
Juvenile Court Procedural Code (JCPC), New Judiciary Law,1971.
Liberian Land Commission. “Principles for Alternative Land Dispute Resolution in Liberia”. draft 2011.
Ministry of Internal Affairs et. al. “Agenda for Transformation: Steps Toward Liberia Rising 2030”; “The Liberia National Vision 2030” June 2012 – July 2030.
Ministry of Internal Affairs, Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Hinterland of Liberia, 7 January 2007.
Ministry of Internal Affairs. Rules and Regulations Governing Local Government Officials of the Political Subdivisions of Liberia (Revised Edition), 24 February 2005.
Ministry of Internal Affairs et al. Towards a Reconciled, Peaceful and Prosperous Liberia: A Strategic Roadmap for National Healing, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation. June 2012-July 2013.
Ministry of Justice. Handbook for Civil Society Partners: Community Education and Awareness Program on the Rule of Law. Ministry of Justice in conjunction with the Carter Center. December, 2008.
Ministry of Justice. Terms of Reference for the International ADR Consultant, and the document “Activities of ADR Program”.
Resolution 165: Providence Island. Monrovia, Liberia. July 10, 2012.
Resolution Regarding Critical Issues Facing Liberia and its Traditional People as we Strive to Achieve Lasting Peace and Prosperity. Bomi, Bong & Grand Gedeh Counties, 2008.
Republic of Liberia. Poverty Reduction Strategy. April, 2008.
Statement by the National Traditional Council of Liberia – 185 National Traditional Elders – on the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance. Tuesday, July 10, 2012.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Appendices. Vol. III. Title XII: Towards national Reconciliation and Dialogues: The Palava Hut or Peace Forums.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Final Report (Updated, December 3rd, 2009).
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Preliminary Findings and Determinations. Vol. I Republic of Liberia.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Recommendations on Accountability: national “Palava Hut” Program. Palava Hut Peace Forums. 2009.
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