ODPP Capacity Building – Training, Learning and Development

We strongly believe that training and development programmes are essential in sustaining the delivery of a high quality prosecution service.

Our commitment to building capacity within the ODPP is rooted in our governance structure and has been translated into an internal policy that has made training programmes mandatory for all ODPP employees.

The Training Committee is responsible for organization and participation of all employees at training, coaching and mentoring programmes, internally and externally, which in turn aids them in increasing work productivity and their commitment to assigned tasks and work ethic.

The ODPP has mandatory Monthly Training Workshops and weekly Professional “Talanoa” (discussion) Sessions for its legal staff.

The ODPP conducts mandatory training workshops for its staff on a regular basis

Monthly Trainings

The Training Committee, in collaboration with our lawyers, identify key training subjects and then design the delivery and training materials for the monthly trainings.

These training days are usually conducted in-house but often by professionals and academics such as former and current High Court Judges and legal consultants invited to participate to ensure our lawyers comply with any continuing legal education developments which apply to them, and that resources are developed and shared to promote consistency in the delivery of our service.

The whole day training is interactive, involving participatory group presentations and a variety of discussion activities.

Because the training subjects are well researched, the training materials and group exercises are tailor made to address identified weaknesses and strengthen identified skills of our lawyers, with the overall aim of enhancing productivity.

Evaluation forms are also circulated for each training session to help the Training Committee gather participant’s feedback on that session and to improve the training programmes.

Presentation of completion certificates at the conclusion of each Monthly Training is also an expression of the ODPP’s commitment to the career development of its employees.

Professional “Talanoa” Sessions (POTS)

Team work is strongly encouraged during our monthly quality training workshops

Knowledge and experience sharing among colleagues is part of our culture at the ODPP.

We devote every Friday afternoon for Professional “Talanoa” (discussion) Sessions (“POTS”).

POTS are opportunities where the legal staff discuss issues and concerns that one may have encountered whilst attending to their matters in court during the week.

Discussions include issues relating to court ethics and in court etiquette and how legal staff can better their performance, especially in advocacy. POTS also serves as a coaching and mentoring platform where the DPP, ADPPs and senior lawyers listen and exchange experiences with the junior counsels.

External Training and Development

Apart from these in-house trainings, the ODPP facilitates participation of ODPP lawyers at external, local and international, training workshops, including the annually conducted Attorney-General’s conference.

ODPP lawyers also conduct trainings for other organizations such as the Police Academy and conducts a variety of training programmes for prosecutors from other government agencies.