The Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies (IJLS) is set up under the Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies Act 2011, which came into effect on 1st October 2011.
Section 4 of the Act sets out the objectives of the Institute which are as follows:
(a) promote proficiency and ensure the maintenance of standards in the Judiciary, among law practitioners and legal officers, and generally in the delivery of Court services;
(b) foster continuing judicial and legal education.
(c) promote international exchanges and co-operation with other jurisdictions in the field of judicial and legal studies.
In line with these objectives, Section 5 of the Act calls upon the IJLS to conduct or supervise courses, seminars or workshops for the continuing training of judicial and legal officers. The IJLS has the responsibility to devise, organise and conduct Continuing Professional Development Programmes for law practitioners.
Pursuant to Section 9 of the Law Practitioners Act 2011, the Institute is mandated to devise, organise and conduct Continuing Professional Development Programmes for each of the three branches of the legal profession with a view to broadening the knowledge of law practitioners and legal officers. The rationale behind the CPD programmes is to keep law professionals abreast of developments in the law, encourage them to share experiences and enhance their professional skills.
A CPD programme needs to be timely, topical and relevant. The IJLS therefore identifies areas of need and interest where specialised knowledge is required and promotes and coordinates research and development, in the judicial and legal sectors.
Section 9B (3) of the Law Practitioners Act 2011 provides that every law practitioner and legal officer shall, in every year, participate in a Continuing Professional Development Programme for at least 12 hours, including 2 hours on Ethics.
Pursuant to section 9C (2) of the Law Practitioners (Amendment) Act 2011, the IJLS is also under an obligation to devise induction courses for those who wish to be considered for appointment as a Judge, a Magistrate or a legal officer.
Since its inception, the IJLS has organised a number of courses and workshops for the Judiciary and for the three branches of the legal profession in Mauritius. The courses are conducted by members of the legal profession, judiciary, experts, academia, foreign faculty invited by the Institute. The Institute has also fostered links with various Universities and judicial training institutions in the region.
