LAHORE, July 29: The detailed plan of the province’s first-ever judicial academy to be set up in Lahore has been prepared which would soon be sent to the future institution’s board of management to be headed by the Lahore High Court chief justice.

The academy is being established by the provincial law department. The Asian Development Bank is likely to provide funds for its establishment, allowing the provincial government to train the subordinate judiciary’s officers and officials in keeping with the present-day requirements.

Official sources said on Sunday the PC-I had been prepared by the Planning and Development Board. After its approval by the board of management, the plan would again be sent to the P&D for execution.

They said land for the academy was yet to be acquired, but the authorities concerned had already started looking for it. “The academy is being established under an ordinance promulgated on March 1.”

According to the ordinance, the academy will develop capacity, professional competency and ethical standards of the judicial officers (from civil judges to district and sessions judges) and court officials, enabling them to efficiently dispense justice.

The academy will impart pre-service and in-service training, develop skills and techniques for court and case management, delay reduction, alternate dispute resolution and judgment writing.

It will conduct examinations and award certificates and diplomas, develop training courses relating to administration of justice, including use of information technology, hold conferences, seminars, lectures and workshops relating to court management, administration of justice, law and development, and legislative drafting.