A senior U.S. judge visited East Timor government officials and members of the judiciary recently to help them understand the challenges and opportunities facing the country's emerging justice sector. Judge J. Clifford Wallace serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and acts as a senior advisor on legal systems and judicial administration to The Asia Foundation.

Judge Wallace has 33 years of experience as a judge in the United States and as an expert advisor in 65 countries. During his visit he met Judge Jacinta Correia da Costa of the Court of Appeals, Judge Carmelita Moniz of Dili District Court, Prosecutor General Longuinhos Monteiro, Justice Minister Domingos Sarmento and Vice Minister Manual Abrantes.

Among the issues discussed during Judge Wallace's visit were how to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and how to develop the means to enforce high standards of judicial performance. Participants also considered ways to attract more U.S. support. "Due to his extensive global experience, Judge Wallace offered valuable insights into the potential for adapting the lessons learned by other justice systems for the benefit of East Timor's justice sector development," said Judge Moniz.

Judge Wallace is scheduled to return to East Timor in early 2004 to assist further with activities in the justice sector.

USAID supports The Asia Foundation's Access to Justice program as it works to build an independent judicial system, establish legal aid services, and improve citizens' knowledge of and access to East Timor's legal infrastructure.infrastructure.