Improved Administration of Justice, Panama
1991-1996

MSD worked with Panamanian court officials to  address bottlenecks and inefficiencies in investigative and criminal trial processes.  The objective was to improve the operation and coordination of the Panamanian justice system, including the Judiciary, Public Ministry, and Public Defenders.

Accomplishments included improvements in the personnel system operations and records management; the provision of basic legal materials and reference libraries in the Judiciary and Public Ministry; expansion and improvement of the Public Defenders system; and improved planning and coordination in the Judiciary and Public Ministry.

Justices of the Supreme Court of Panama met with Chief Justice Rehnquist at the U.S. Supreme Court

In May 2003, MSD hosted a USAID-sponsored delegation from the Supreme Court of the Republic of Panama for participant training at the Federal Judicial Center.  The highlight of the week was a special audience with Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court.  In addition, they had a meeting with Judges from the Appeals Court of Maryland.