For Paralegals and Paralegal Trainers Basic Paralegal Training Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) BRAC University For Paralegals and Paralegal Trainers Basic Paralegal Training Course Copyright : Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ), BRAC University Formulation : Ain O Shalish Kendra (ASK), Madaripur Legal Aid Association (MLAA), Citizen's Initiative, Council of Minorities (COM) and Friendship Assisted by : Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Move Foundation, Shujon and BRAC HRLS. Re-written and Edited by : Motahar Akand Associate Editors : Advocate Momi Monjuri Chowdhury Nadira Pervin Mohammad Moniruzzaman Nilufa Sultana Shahariar Sadat Zia Uddin Inner Page Design : Arefin Ahmed Color Scheme : Mizanur Rahman In the Assistance of : Midul Hassan Financed by : Open Society Foundation Chief Facilitator : Manzoor Hasan, Executive Director, CPJ Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ), BRAC University Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ), is a post graduate learning, research and advocacy institution which is an initiative of BRAC University. The main objective of the organization is to establish justice and peace in the society through legal education, training, research and advocacy. CPJ intends to identify and work towards finding long term solutions to global conflicts, fragility and extremism. With the goal of increasing the skills and knowledge of paralegals and paralegal trainers and to build the competency and/or capacity of the organizations that hire them. The CPJ has established a steering group comprising of the country's leading organizations providing legal aid and assistance. The journey of articulating this module began with the initiative of South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS) under BRAC University, financed by Open Society Foundation (OSF). Later on, the CPJ based on the foundation laid down by SAILS has continued the task of putting the module together. Since 2015 opinions and feedbacks from the leadership and activists of various participating organizations within the steering group have helped to initiate the articulation of the basic training module for Paralegals and trainers. The leadership and activists of various organizations such as Ain O Shalish Kendro, Madaripur Legal Aid Association, Nagorik Uddyog, Bangladesh National Women's Lawyers Association, Council of Minorities, Friendship Move Foundation, BRAC HRLS and BRAC University have supported this initiative with their efforts, knowledge, expertise and infrastructural facilities. Therefore, I would like to acknowledge my gratefulness to every individual and organization that has been involved with us in this endeavor. This training module is accessible and open for all and any legal aid organization may use this module for their paralegal trainer or their paralegal training. I hope that this module will play an integral role in the process of spreading the paralegal movement in Bangladesh and to also give paralegal training an effective professional outlook. Last but not the least, I would also like to thank everyone involved in editing, proofreading and translating and specially my co-workers in CPJ who have helped in the process of shaping this module in its final form. Manzoor Hasan Executive Director Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University Brief about the Module The module has been developed to build up a group of paralegals with basic paralegal skills, knowledge and mindset. The subjects, content and presentation of the module were chosen with the aim of developing a module that would be beneficial for both paralegals and paralegal trainers. The module has been finalized after a lengthy process of feedback and deliberations from the stakeholders. Following multiple meetings, discussions and workshops organized in collaboration with leading legal empowerment throughout 2015 and 2016, a decision was taken to design, develop and implement a course on paralegal training. The initiative was undertaken by South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS) under the aegis of BRAC University and received financial support from the Open Society Foundation. Subsequently, in June of 2016, with the help of 8(eight) trainers and lawyers from Ain O Shalish Kendra (ASK), Madaripur Legal Aid Association (M.L.A.A), Citizen's Initiative, and the Council of Minorities, a workshop was organized to start the development of this module. A 5-day residential workshop was run and aided by NRT and the subject matter of the course, its study materials and presentation methods were derived from this workshop. A compilation of these formed the first draft of the module. Subsequently following some changes and adjustments to the initial draft of the module, the usable version was developed. None of the subject matters which had arisen during the workshop were discarded during the revamping of the module. Keeping in mind various factors like class, elderly education policy, material benefits, etc. of potential participants, some of the subject matter/content has been broken down into multiple sections. Accordingly the logistics, stationaries, items, method of presentation and the content of the course has been re-evaluated. The module has been divided under 6 headings with 6 sections each for an easier learning experience. For every Chapter, there will be more than 2 sessions and each session's title, purpose, time, method, ingredients, items, text books, advice for the trainer, the aspects of the topic to be discussed and the procedures to conduct the session have been described step by step. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the curriculum was tested at field level; with the scope of experts of the field in the national level to examine it and give their valuable feedback. The result from the field test as well as the feedback from the experts has culminated in the current form of the module. Considering the possibility of the training being imparted not only across the cities but also in remote areas of the country, due consideration has been given to the method, material and items to be used for the training so that every training centre with minimum facilities can be utilized. Taking the subject matter as well as the sessions' requirement into consideration the timeframe for the course ought to have been at least 7(seven) days. A timeframe of 9 (nine) days would have allowed for more practice exercises. After much deliberation regarding the participants and their respective organizations, the time the trainers are prepared to give, the budget and other aspects the course, the duration of the course was agreed at 6 (six) days. The daily itinerary therefore may appear constricted. However, the trainers as well as the administrators, upon discussion, are at liberty to reduce some of the sessions from the modules if they deemed necessary. If one can continue promising participants, trainers, managers/administrators, and other facilities, the endeavor shall bear fruits, even though the process may demand hard work. Trainer The success of the course depends mostly on the skill and sincerity/level of personal investment on part of the trainer. It is of course very difficult to hold the attention of the participants for about 9 and a half hours daily, but it is not impossible. Which is why, this course requires a trainer or trainers who – ! Have at least five years of experience in law and human rights issues and have enough experience to independently run the course. ! The general trainer training, subject-wise trainer training, communication and management related training, ought to regularly partake in these activities as well as be experienced in at least 5 similar courses and trained under an experienced trainer. ! The trainer ought to be knowledgeable as well as experienced in Elderly Education Policy, philosophy, theories, and successful course maneuvers. ! Well educated in paralegal activities, law and legal process, human rights, and gender related issues. ! Must have highest degree qualification from a university. ! Creative, hard-working, genuine and committed. If there are multiple trainers, having at least 1 (one) lawyer will help the course to be more effective. Basic Guideline for the Trainers + The course will be hosted for participants who are adults, and as such the knowledge, skill, experience, status, and empathy of the participants should be kept in mind, and must be respected while conducting the sessions. + The module must be read multiple times, and the method, steps and subject-matter must be properly understood. + Relevant issues outside of the key-notes and the subject-matter provided must be practiced. + The module's methodology, content and procedures have been provided as samples. A capable, experienced and creative trainer can, if necessary, emphasize on the main learning objectives, while applying their own techniques, or can add their own content or apply their own teaching methods. + As the sessions will last for long hours every day, energizing games, meditation to help ensure focus, and examples to help eradicate hesitation, should be pre-determined. Use them at appropriate times. The trainer can use their own experiences or experience of those they know to draw such examples. + Enter every seminar with the sufficient amount of materials, such as copies, markers etc. + With every session follow the attached guidelines and learning materials. In short, enter the session well prepared. Essential Facilities Around 20-25 participants