Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

FSM Courts Hold Conference in Yap

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): August 6, 2009 - The Office of the Director of the Department of Youth & Civics Affairs in Yap has just released the following information.

The 12th FSM Judicial Conference has opened in the State of Yap following welcoming remarks by Yap State Court Chief Justice, the Honorable Cyprian Manmaw, and the official opening by FSM Supreme Court Chief Justice, the Honorable Andon Amaraich, at Yap Small Business Center on August 3, 2009.

This year's Conference has brought to Yap more than 40 participants from the four FSM States and the National Government over the weekend to attend the Court meetings. The conference will continue its discussions through Thursday on Court issues, among others the Rule of Law and Customs, Case Flow Management, Ethics for Judges, Performance Evaluation Standard for Staff and other related issues concerning Court operations in the FSM.

The group consists of the Chief Justices, Associate Justices, Legal Counsels and Court Administrators from all over the FSM State and Supreme Courts. Those who will be giving presentations on some of the topics for discussions during the weeklong conference include all the Chief Justices and other Staff of the Courts. The Honorable Charles Case III and the Honorable Aliksa B. Aliksa both gave presentations on Alternative Dispute Resolution during the discussions.

On Tuesday, August 4th, the Honorable Charles Case III led the discussion with a review of yesterday's discussions and move on to the next on the agenda the Case Flow Management. Later in the day Mr. Kapilly Capelle, Director FSMSC, took on the discussions by giving a highlight on another issue concerning the Tools that must be used in Courtrooms. The group will begin tomorrow by reviewing all that has transpired today before taking up another subject.