Research
The Legal Aid Forum plays a significant role in monitoring the indicators set by the state institutions in their policies on access to justice with information gathered from our network, and through targeted research projects. From the findings of the research, recommendations are made to relevant institutions which lead to concrete actions being taken to address human rights issues, reduce capacity gaps, and introduce innovative solutions to justice problems. It is also these research which form the basis for LAF’s evidence-based advocacy.
The methodologies and techniques used by LAF have proven to be effective in both qualitative and quantitative studies. Some of which include; consultation of existing documentation and reports on subject-matters, secondary data collection through desk review and analysis as well as first-hand data collections through interviews, Focus Group Discussions(FGDs) and survey; data collection using ICT facilities and existing databases.
LAF’s research is conducted by a team of qualified and experienced resource persons with the support from either an ad hoc steering committee members, external reviewers or stakeholders’ working sessions to input and improve the research products.
LAF research has been influential in the areas of Access to Justice, Human Rights and Rule of Law.
Research Reports
Enforcement of Court Judgments and its impacts on Access to Justice in Rwanda
The purpose of this research report was to monitor and evaluate enforcement of court judgments in Rwanda. In accordance with the Justice, Reconciliation, Law & Order Sector Strategy; July 2009 – June 2012, LAF conducted this research focusing on the enforcement of civil judgments excluding commercial and criminal judgments. This research was conducted in ten districts across Rwanda’s five provinces. Primarily quantitative research methods were used in the form of questionnaires targeting those trying to enforce or having enforced court judgments (claimants), and individuals responsible for enforcement (enforcement agents).
Findings from this research addressed the length of enforcing court judgments, looking at how long claimants wait or have been waiting for the enforcement of their judgments, the cost of enforcing court judgments focusing on the loss of earnings, travel costs, and fees of professional bailiffs incurred by claimants; competence of enforcement agents, focusing on their trainings; availability of enforcement agents, looking at their time constraints and other factors influencing their availability; enforcement mechanism and procedures, comparing voluntary and forced enforcement; as well as effectiveness and public perception of the enforcement process..........
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