Newsroom
The Open Society Justice Initiative pursues strategic litigation and engages in policy advocacy in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Read our News Releases and Advocacy Updates on our work.
Paralegal Justice Services Expand Across Sierra Leone
The number of paralegals providing free basic justice services in Sierra Leone will more than double next month, as donors join with non-governmental organizations and community-based groups to create a nation-wide network of legal assistance.
August 20, 2010Sierra Leone Paralegal Program Evaluation Underway
The Centre for the Study of African Economies, Oxford University, is evaluating a pilot criminal justice paralegal program launched last year by Timap for Justice and the Open Society Justice Initiative in Sierra Leone.
May 10, 2010In New Article, Goldston Considers Need for Fresh Approach to Rule of Law Reform
Open Society Justice Initiative executive director James A. Goldston discusses the need for a new approach to rule of law reform, emphasizing local expertise and mutual learning between the global north and south.
May 11, 2009New Report from Turkey Finds Accused Lack Legal Representation
An empirical study of legal aid in Istanbul jointly undertaken by the Open Society Justice Initiative and Istanbul Bilgi University found that only 10 percent of criminal defendants in Istanbul are represented by a lawyer.
April 06, 2008Legal Aid Law Adopted in Moldova
The Moldovan parliament voted unanimously to approve a new legal aid law developed by a working group which benefited from extensive consultations with the Open Society Justice Initiative.
July 30, 2007New Legal Aid Law Adopted in Georgia
A new legal aid law adopted in Georgia introduces a full-fledged model of public defenders as legal aid providers, a development praised by the Open Society Justice Initiative.
June 26, 2007Second Public Defender Office Launched in Ukraine
Ukraine's second pilot public defender office was launched last week in Bila Tsirkva, an initiative that is part of a project on legal aid reform in Ukraine operated by the Open Society Justice Initiative and the International Renaissance Foundation.
February 21, 2007Ukraine Public Defender Office Promotes Rights of the Accused
A newly opened public defender office—a joint project of the Open Society Justice Initiative and two other civil society groups—recorded a major success last week when it was assured by Regional Director of Kharkiv Police that local police will...
December 21, 2006