The Training and Study Centre

for the Judiciary:

• Initial courses
• Permanent development of expertise
• Tailor-made courses
Initial training and permanent education for:

* judges (in total 2.400 in 2009)

* prosecutors (in total approx. 700)
* legal supporting staff (in total 5.700 in 2009)
* administrative staff (in total 1.600 in 2009)
Competency based education

• professional focus
• operational effectiveness
• problem solving
• attitude
• communication
• leadership
Competency

Competency = set of behavioural characteristics

Behaviour = combination of
• Knowledge
• Skills
• Attitude
integrated within a situation which takes place in a setting.
Principles of learning by adults

Learning occurs best when it:

· fills an immediate need
· is self-directed
· shows respect for the learner
· provides a safe and comfortable atmosphere
· is participative
· is experiential
· is reflective
 The adult learning cycle

Direct experience

Application Observing and

(of principles reflecting
and theories) on the experience

Conceptualising
(deriving principles en theories)
Competency based education

The situation and the setting determine the content of the

knowledge, skills and attitude

Therefore……..

the working situation/setting takes a central position in both

the development of and the activities in the educational
program
 2-track coaching system:

partnership between training institute and

the working place
Direct experience

Working
place

Application Observing and

(of principles reflecting
and theories) on the experience

Training
institute
Conceptualising
(deriving principles and theories)
Which methods to use at the
training institute?
• Reflection on experiences in groups, learn from the
others
• Exercises in new skills and reflection
• Role plays, simulation (find your own style) and reflection
• Self-study, case-study, discussion, lectures
• Etc.
Which methods to use at the
court and prosecutors offices?
• Structured assignments + constructive feedback
• Coaching
• Observing experts, critical reflection
• Portfolio
Content based education
versus
Competency based education

Content based Competency based

Teaching Coaching, managing

learning process,
facilitating

Student relatively passive Student active,

responsible

Fragmentised Integrated, authentic

Content and school-subjects Competencies and

working context
A new role for teachers and mentors

We are looking for a professionals in:

· Coaching, motivating,
· Facilitating group work

Our (new) colleagues should also be

· legal experts
· who share our view on education

We are looking for enthusiastic persons who are

· able to create a safe and comfortable
atmosphere.
Requirements: courts and prosecutor’s
offices
• Co-operation with the courts and prosecution offices
time
coaches / tutors
facilities

• Willingness to invest in education:

judges and prosecutors taking part in development
teams and teaching

• Willingness to invest in train-the-trainer programmes

(not all professionals are good trainers or coaches!)
Requirements: candidate

Willingness to accept the full responsibility for

his/her own learning process
 Part of an initial programme
Initial

Basic level knowledge

Current affairs of the theme

After initial
Basic programme

After basic course

Advanced
After advanced
Master course
Model of Didactical Analysis

[Objectives • Student
(Competencies) Characteristics
2

Course Design

Content Methods Material

Evaluatie
Evaluation u
6+7
Designing a course
• check the needs for a new course
• form a development team/find lecturers
• discuss and describe the aims, the target-group, the content,
etc.
• develop study material (reader, presentation, tests, actors, etc.)
• make instructions
• evaluate and improve
Initial courses:

Less than 6 years working experience (raio):

• Judges
• Public prosecutor
6 or more years working experience:
• Outsiders:
• Judiciary > rio’s
• Public Prosecutions Department > outsider
prosecutor
Initial courses:

• Clerks of the court

• Assistant prosecutors

• Legal administrative staff

Permanent development

• Judges
• Prosecutors
• Clerks of the court
• Assistant prosecutors
• Legal administrative staff
Subjects permanent education

- Civil law
- Family law
- Criminal law
- Administrative law
- International law
- General skills (f.i. communication, mediation, reflection,
handling aggression)
Permanent education
standards
• Judges: 30 hours a year, compulsory
• Prosecutors: “license system”

• At SSR, own court/prosecutor’s office or other

judicial training institute (e.g. university,
commercial institute)

• Comprehensive programme / “learning paths”.

Amount of SSR courses

- about 300 titles permanent development

- about 150 tailor made courses
- total about 900 yearly
SSR teachers

• Judges for judges

• University teachers
• Lawyers
• External experts in specific area
Questions?