Since our experience in Vietnam was very successful, we received a request from Cambodia to assist in the construction of its new legal framework. Since Cambodia concluded the Paris Peace Accords, a comprehensive peace agreement to resolve the civil strife which had boggled Cambodia for more than a decade, its government has been striving to revive the impoverished country economically as well as promote democratization. nbsp;In 1996, the government indicated in its 1996-2000 Socio-Economic Development Plan(SEDP). that reform of the judicial system was of the utmost priority.

The government requested assistance from the Japanese government in the following areas: writing bills, mainly for civil law and procedures for the operation of laws as well as experts dispatched as long-term consultants on reorganizing judicial related institutions. Accordingly, the Japanese government, beginning in February and March of 1999, dispatched delegations to confer with the Cambodian government as to how they should proceed. A synopsis of what was agreed upon between the two countries, beginning in March 1999 for a period of three years follows, based upon Ministry of Foreign Affairs documents.

The Japanese Cooperation to support the Formulation of Key Government Policies on Legal and judicial System in Kingdom of Cambodia

Beginning March 5, 1999 for a period of three years

The Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and the Japan Federation of Bar Association

1. The Japanese and Cambodian teams would endeavor to draft legislation for civil and civil litigation law
2. Seminars on Japanese judicial administration, trial system and the attorney system would be held.
3. Related information and documents would be prepared.

1. Dispatch experts
   * Long-term: to coordinate the process for drafting legislation.
   * Short-term: to hold seminars and to conduct research in Cambodia on civil law, civil procedural law, the trial system and the attorney system
2. Accept trainees
   * Implement financing for international ad hoc training, support for legal and judicial system and counterpart training
   * Provide scholarships to study in Japanese universities.