Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 05/16/2011 I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET CONCEPT STAGE Report No.: AC6132 Country: Morocco Project ID: P125799 Project Name: Morocco Justice Sector Reform Task Team Leader: Philippe De Meneval Estimated Appraisal Date: June 27, 2011 Estimated Board Date: October 31, 2011 Managing Unit: MNSED Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Sector: Law and justice (100%) Theme: Access to law and justice (60%);Other rule of law (40%) IBRD Amount (US$m.): 8.00 IDA Amount (US$m.): 0.00 GEF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 PCF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 Other financing amounts by source: Borrower 0.00 0.00 B. Project Objectives [from section 2 of PCN] The objective of this project is to improve public trust and confidence in the judicial system through (a) implementing new approaches in legal aid, management of cases, use of human capacities, court functioning, and (b) strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Justice in the areas of financial/human resources management and project management. The primary target group of the project will be the Ministry of Justice, the Legal Training Institute (Institut Supérieur de la Magistrature), and judges, administrative staff (greffiers) and users of the selected courts. The project is intended to benefit all users more generally as it will provide the Ministry of Justice with the methodology and operational tools needed to scale up the tested approach at other courts. C. Project Description [from section 3 of PCN] The project's overall approach is to familiarize the target groups with innovative solutions and international best practices to improve access to justice and quality of service delivery. Lessons learned at the level of 15 to 20 courts would then support the development of broader reform efforts to be implemented by the Ministry of Justice and allow for replication throughout the system. Other components of the project will address cross cutting issues such as the training program of the Institut de Formation des Magistrats (ISM), and project, financial and HR
management by the Ministry of Justice. The project will not address all issues affecting the judicial sector. For instance, the project will not address specific issues relating to criminal justice, prison administration, and the overarching issue of the independence of the judiciary. The project will not finance creation, rehabilitation or maintenance of infrastructure as it has already been largely addressed under the European Union#s MEDA program, and since the Ministry of Justice continues its efforts to improve court infrastructure. Component I: Improving Access to the Judicial System and Quality of Service Delivery: Under this component, the project will develop a range of different approaches for improving access to justice and quality of service delivery based on an in-depth assessment and technical assistance at the level of around 15 courts selected with the Ministry of Justice. The assessment of court performance will follow from an institutional analysis of each tribunal combined with public and users surveys. The analysis will focus on organizational structure and functioning of the selected courts and assess the role of various stakeholders with respect to the most common types of cases (family matters, land disputes, small debt repayments). The pilot program will provide an opportunity to experiment with new tools and approaches to improve access to justice and quality of service delivery: upgraded case management system, service standards, quality labels, measurement of performance in access and service delivery, devolution of decision-making powers at court level, quality and publication of court decisions, etc. The project will notably take into account the possibility of modifying the division of roles and responsibilities of judicial stakeholders through expanding the functions and accountability of clerks. A system of partnerships between model jurisdictions and other jurisdictions will be established to ensure the replication of the developed methodology at a later stage. Component II: Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Justice and ISM: This component will focus on modernizing the central level functions relating to training, and financial and human resources management. Morocco has engaged in a broad reform to modernize its budget planning, presentation and management, notably through the adoption of performance based budgeting. The Ministry of Justice was part of the pilot ministries selected with the Ministry of Finance to develop a Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). In this context, the project will support the modernization of the financial and HR management tools of the Ministry of Justice, in particular the ongoing process of introducing multi-year program budgeting and performance indicators, performance contracting, and performance monitoring. Another sub-component will focus on the system of legal and judicial education and training, in particular the program of the Institut Supérieur de la Magistrature (ISM). The project will assess training needs, capacities, and assist in designing a curriculum that fits the needs and take stock of international experiences. Finally, the project will support the implementation of the ethics policy, notably through reinforcing the monitoring and evaluating tools of the Ministry of Justice and its General Inspectorate. Component III: Strengthening Project Management capacity: This component will focus on strengthening project management and change management capacity. Under this component, a dedicated Project Technical Unit (PTU) at the Ministry of Justice will be trained to be in charge of project implementation, including procurement and financial management. It will coordinate with the Ministry of Justice's auditing, accounting and procurement divisions, providing them with specialized expertise regarding Bank project implementation processes. It will also be in
charge of day to day project monitoring and in that capacity will report to a steering committee gathering stakeholders from the public and private sector. The PTU will prepare progress reports and monitor performance indicators. Finally, the project will focus on strengthening the Ministry s capacity to communicate with key stakeholders and reach out to the broader public on the reform process. D. Project location (if known) The proposed project would be located at the Ministry of Justice in Rabat, the Legal Training Institute (Institut Supérieur de la Magistrature) in Rabat, and approximately 20 selected courts throughout the country. E. Borrower s Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies [from PCN] The proposed project will have no adverse social or environmental impacts as it consist only of consultant services and training programs. The project does not involve any physical works (in particular, no creation, rehabilitation or maintenance of buildings is envisaged) or procurement of goods and does not involve any land acquisition or resettlement. The project has thus been categorized as a Category C project. OP 4.12 is not triggered and no project environmental impact assessment or environmental management plan is required. F. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists Mr Gael A. Gregoire (MNSEN) II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY Safeguard Policies Triggered Yes No TBD Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) Forests (OP/BP 4.36) Pest Management (OP 4.09) Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11) Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50) Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60) Environmental Category: C - Not Required III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN A. Target date for the Quality Enhancement Review (QER), at which time the PAD-stage ISDS would be prepared: N/A B. For projects that will not require a QER, the target date for preparing the PAD-stage ISDS: 06/27/2011
C. Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed. The specific studies and their timing 1 should be specified in the PAD-stage ISDS. n/a IV. APPROVALS Signed and submitted by: Task Team Leader: Mr Philippe De Meneval 05/03/2011 Approved by: Regional Safeguards Coordinator: Mr Hocine Chalal 05/16/2011 Comments: Sector Manager: Mr Guenter Heidenhof 05/13/2011 Comments: 1 Reminder: The Bank s Disclosure Policy requires that safeguard-related documents be disclosed before appraisal (i) at the InfoShop and (ii) in-country, at publicly accessible locations and in a form and language that are accessible to potentially affected persons.