MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID) AND THE NATIONAL CHAMBER OF LAWYERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA (DHAKASH) FOR THE CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (CLE) FOR LAWYERS IN ALBANIA

Part of the text of the Memorandum

1. Purpose 
USAID and DHKASH, collectively called the "Parties", express their willingness to cooperate in the initiative for the creation and implementation of the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program for active lawyers and assistant lawyers in the Republic of Albania.

2. History 
Although the legal profession in Albania has moved forward in a number of areas, after its reappearance as a profession twenty years ago, there are still many challenges for its consolidation.

USAID and the leaders of the National Chamber and Regional Chambers of Advocacy agree that the best way to achieve the goal of reducing corruption in the justice system and improving the image of lawyers in Albanian society is through contributing to a legal profession. more cultured, professional and ethical.

Within the framework of the Program for Strengthening the Justice System in Albania (JuST), implemented by Chemonics International and conceived through close consultations with DHKASH and other partners in the justice system, USAID, according to the contract with Chemonics International, will to support the DHKASH towards strengthening the professional capacities of active lawyers and assistant lawyers, through the creation and implementation of the Continuing Legal Education Program.

3. Continuing Legal Education Program 
The participants share the opinion that a self-supported and well-organized AVL program for all active lawyers and assistant lawyers will be essential for raising the professional standards of members of the legal profession and further aligning it with European standards.

The participants intend to first test the AVL in the Regional Chamber of Vlora and Durrës. The implementation of the AVL program in these Bars will be carried out by the Albanian Center for Legal Training and Studies (ACLTS), with funds provided by USAID and DHKASH, through separate subcontracts that define in detail the measures related to funding, in accordance with Section 6 of this MM.

While USAID expresses its willingness to support the non-mandatory training for the AVL in two regional chambers of advocacy, in the form of a demonstration project, the Parties agree to cooperate and within the third year of the project (2013-2014) turn AVL into a mandatory nationwide program, organized by DHKASH.

4. Definitions 
"Active lawyers" are licensed lawyers, who are registered to practice with one or more regional chambers, and who regularly pay the full annual membership fee.

"Assistant lawyers" are graduates of the law faculty who are registered according to the rules in one of the regional chambers, in order to take the national bar exam.

Signed by the Director of the USAID Mission in Albania, Mr. Joseph Williams
and the President of the National Chamber of Advocacy, Mr. Maksim Haxhia
in Tirana, on May 12, 2011.