Date and time of the event: 3rd October 2020 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Number of attendees: 13 participants + 6 members (Executive Members) + 2 Rapporteurs

Center for Rule of Law (CROL) organized the Training of Trainers (ToT) session with an objective to advance and foster the law-abiding culture. Our goal was to enhance the understanding of the foundational importance of Rule of Law and its multidisciplinary nature.

The programme began with the introductory note from Ms. Ekata Paudel- Program Coordinator. She gave a total run-down of the entire session stating that, “You and I expect everyone to abide by the Rule of Law; today let us assess if we abide by it”, which intrigued hunger for learning Rule of Law amongst the participants.

Subsequently, a brief self-introduction of the participants, the Editorial Board Members and the Executive Board Members after which the gathering was graciously addressed by Dr. Narayan Ghimire, the Founding Member and President of CROL - Nepal. Dr. Ghimire holds Doctor of Juridical Science and LLM (Hon’s), and MA LLB and has been invited as guest lecturer in numerous universities. He is also coordinating the Committee on Tort Law for the Supreme Court Bar Association and has taken the responsibility of framing Legal Aid Guidelines for Nepal Bar Association.

After completing introduction of all the attendees, the participants were asked to fill up a form as an ‘entry test’ which sought answers on their general understanding of Rule of Law.

The heart of the event was the 1st lecture session by Dr. Ghimire. He emphasized on the fact that Rule of Law was the foundation of human rights, good governance and democracy. The blind faith in law does not constitute Rule of Law. Dr. Ghimire claims the theory of Rule of Law, in the law-making process is as imperative as it is in the law-implementing process. He shed light on the justifications of Rule of Law found in legal theories of A.V. Dicey, Montesquieu, John Locke, Benjamin Franklin, Lon Fuller, Aristotle, and Coke. Participants learnt that the Rule of Law is not just liability of State, but rather the responsibility of both the citizens and the government.

The highly interactive session involved discussion on implications. We welcomed the inputs from participants on supremacy of law, equality before law, equal treatment of law, separation of power, independence of judiciary, due process, and constitutional liberalism. Attendees enjoyed the deliberation on the topic ‘rule of law vs. rule by law’. We reached the conclusion that the misuse of authority and practical glitches on separation of power and independence of judiciary precludes Nepal from celebrating the Rule of Law regime.

Due to absence of Mr. Madhab Ghimire, 2nd Session was carried out by Dr. Narayan Ghimire and after concluding the lecture session, we recollected answers on the understanding of Rule of Law which was deemed as an ‘exit test’. Comparing it with the previously collected answers, the massive transformation in their understanding attested success of the ToT session. We trained the trainers who would help us reach the other members of society and impart knowledge on the Rule of Law. In the foreseeable future, the trainers are expected to use the acquired knowledge and vocational skills amongst the higher secondary students in our association. The significance of this session lies in the fact that it apprises two generations.

At the end of the ToT session Abhigya Pant, Editorial Board Member, pre-notified us about the ‘Beta Tester’ programme which was impending one-month long course concerning Intellectual Property Rights laws.

The session was concluded by Aarzoo Dahal with a vote of thanks in appreciation of everyone who made the event pleasingly successful.

-          Report prepared by:

Aabha Parajuli and Shaksham Shahi

Date and time of the event: 10th December 2020 from 6:20 PM to 7:00 PM

Number of attendees: 6 members (Executive Members) + 2 members (Student Editors)

Medium: Zoom

Center for Rule of Law (CROL) organized a second In House Training on “Importance of vocabulary in Legal Writing” with an aim to impart quintessential knowledge and tips on significance of vocabulary in legal writing which also included intricate details of elements, stages and types of legal writing. The trainer for the session was Ms. Abhigya Pant- Editorial Board Member at CROL who officially started with the presentation at 6:24 PM.

The presentation included methods of legal writing thereupon delineating about its chronological stages and some of its categories. Ms. Pant also elucidated about styles of legal writing before enlightening the participants about significance of vocabulary in legal writing. The slide explained about 3 types of legal writings namely; Formal writing, Informal writing and Persuasive writing. Then, in the vocabulary part of the presentation, the trainer firstly focused on the nuances of specific words and how the meaning differed based on the premise of its use. Similarly, the forthcoming slides included some of the special attributes of vocabulary mostly in legal writing which encompassed usage of archaic words, lone words and phrases derived from foreign languages and Latin maxims as well.

In the concluding slides, Ms. Abhigya Pant addressed about the importance of vocabulary in five key points. These points clearly showed how a slight touch of vocabulary in legal writings can power up our written and representation skills and bring it into a whole another level. Finally, she delivered some tips to improve vocabulary by buckling down on few key suggestions which included choosing descriptive words and the idea of keeping yourself in your reader’s shoes.

The training session formally came to an end with few questions from the audience and short feedback from Dr. Narayan Ghimire – Founding member and President of CROL.

-  Report prepared by:

Prashamsa Ghimire & Shaksham Shahi

Date and time of the event: 21st November, 2020

8: 15 PM to 10:45 PM NST

Number of attendees: 39 attendees including 2 student editors, 2 members of organizing committee and 1 rapporteur

Medium: Zoom

Centre for Rule of Law (CROL) organized a zoom conference with an objective to shed light upon the legal provisions concerning the rights of NRN entrusted in the constitution as well as other statutes of Nepal. Delegates ranging from MPs to senior advocates participated in the discussion program which was moderated by Mr. Ambika P. Adhikari and chaired by Mr Ram Thapa. Special Speakers of the session included Hon. Dr. Minendra Rijal from Kathmandu and Hon. Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel from Kathmandu. The commentator of the session was Dr. Badri K C, Vice President, NRNA from Moscow and Dr. Narayan Ghimire, Senior Advocate from Kathmandu was the Presenter in the session. Participants for discussion included Dr. Keshab Paudel from USA, Sonam Lama VP NRN and Chair of Continuation of Nepali Citizenship Committee, Naresh Koirala from Vancouver Canada, Girija Gautam from USA- Attorney at law, Ms. Bandita Sharma Dahal, Attorney from USA, Ms. Avima Uprety- Attorney from USA and Mr. Shikhar Pandit an Attorney from Kathmandu. Saroj Dahal sir was the Focal Person in the session. The session's Program Chair was Ram Thapa- Europe.

A short introduction session was followed by an introductory note from the moderator. Moderator chronologically invited speakers to share their thoughts on the provided topics. Mr Thapa highlighted on various provisions of the Citizenship Act and also advocated on certain amendments in the NRN Act.

Dr Narayan Ghimire provided a critical review of Article 14 and 291 of the Constitution of Nepal. He also referred to a Supreme Court judgement and few statutory provisions which intrigued interest and curiosity among all participants. The next speaker Dr Badri KC proposed a few constitutional and statutory amendments to eradicate restrictions on acquiring property by NRNs and advocated for full economic rights for NRNs.

Subsequently, member of the federal parliament, Dr Mirendra Rijal, focussed on some of the prevalent citizenship issues in Nepal. Along with his political experiences, Dr Rijal also shed light on the difficulties parliamentarians have to face while proposing any changes in the legal provisions on obtaining Nepali citizenship. He defended the constitutional provisions concerning the rights of NRNs.

The next speaker was the Member of Parliament, Hon. Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel who started off by highlighting the problem as a fault in the viewpoint. He also acknowledged the existing problems with the NRN laws and simultaneously ended with a positive note that more progressive and advanced thoughts shall guide the decisions of tomorrow. MP Pokharel introduced very encouraging lookouts in the Legal regime of NRN. Also, Dr. Mirendra Rijal shared a relevant personal event which seemed to be connected with the situation of NRNs. Dr. Minendra's addition included problems of employment and other NRN citizenship grant issues.

Furthermore, Mr. Naresh Koirala presented his views. Despite him not being from a legal background, he firstly acknowledged Narayan sir's view on the issue and moved forward with expressing his own with regards to Article 10 and 11 wherein certain constraints are put concerning property rights. Followed by Mr. Naresh was Ms. Avima Upreti who also presented her views on the matter. The next speaker was Mr. Shikhar Pandit who highlighted on the problems like not having adequate definitions of NRN to date, exceptions created by the Muluki Civil Code and the NRN Bill overall.

Similarly other speakers to present their views were Keshav Bhattarai, Chiranjibi Ghimire, Drona Rasali and Girija Gautam sir. The session then moved towards the closing. Minendra sir gave his concluding remarks followed by Girija Gautam, Ram Thapa, Dr. Bari KC and Ambika Sir. A final vote of thanks was given by Dr. Narayan Sir and with this the session ended.

Report by:

Student editors, CROL: Prashamsa Ghimire and Yagyadi Acharya