Contacts: Lee Morrison
Tel: (202) 458-8741
Lmorrison1@worldbank.org
Alejandra Viveros
Tel. (202)-473-4306
Aviveros@worldbank.org
For more information on this project, please visit:
http://www4.worldbank.org/sprojects/Project.asp?pid=P064919 WASHINGTON, August 1, 2002-- The World Bank today approved a US$18.2 million loan to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and accessibility of El Salvador's judicial system. "A prompt and effective judicial system is pivotal to secure the social and economic advances envisioned in El Salvador's 1992 peace accords," said Waleed Malik, Senior Public Sector Management Specialist for the World Bank. "A more transparent, credible and a accessible system of justice will deter crime, stimulate competitiveness in commerce, and empower the general public with greater protection under the law." The judicial modernization project will seek to reduce the average time to process civil, penal, and other cases in El Salvador's court system. To this end, the World Bank loan aims to strengthen the capacity of the Judicial Branch by modernizing administrative processes and improving oversight of judges and legal professionals. El Salvador's Supreme Court of Justice, for example, will soon publish case schedules and decisions to an on-line calendar. Also, an Integrated Judicial Center will be set up to improve lower court operations. To enhance the professional quality, integrity and competence of judicial services, the project will strengthen judicial and administrative career systems. Bank financing will also support workshops and distance learning programs for judicial and administrative officials. The project will support increased access of judicial services to the general public by reorganizing the jurisdiction of courts based on a more equitable distribution among geographical areas and population coverage. Community outreach, knowledge sharing and legal and judicial information centers will inform the general public on their legal rights as well as facilitate access to judicial services. The IBRD single-currency, fixed spread loan carries a maturity of 16 years with six years of grace. |
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