On behalf of the Federal Government, the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation supports partner states in reforming their legal systems and their judiciary. The IRZ Foundation was established in 1992 as a non-profit making association at the initiative of thethen Federal Minister of Justice Dr. Klaus Kinkel. In previous years, the work of the Foundation was largely promoted within the framework of the TRANSFORM consultation programme. The lion´s share of funding now comes from the budget of the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Main focus of the Foundation´s work

In providing legislative consulting, we undertake discussions with experts, draft expert reports and assist in drawing up draft Bills. We promote the implementation of reform statutes, in particular through basic and further training of judges, public prosecutors, attorneys, notaries, academics and young lawyers, including within the framework of the Phare and Tacis programmes. In the seminars and symposia, as well as in training periods and guest visits to Germany, the main focus is on German and European law, supplemented by a crossborder exchange of experience.

In addition, the IRZ Foundation supports the partner states in approximating their national law to that of the European Union. This long-term process is continually supported by suitable specialists, a process which has proven successfull: Today, many of our partner states are continuing to develop their legal systems independently, and some are accession canditates to the EU.

The partner states

Our work so far has concentrated on the states of Central and Eastern Europe, the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union and the partner states of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. At present the IRZ Foundation is active in the following countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovac Republic, Slovenia, Ukraine and Yugoslavia.

Fields of law

As well as basic and further training, we support and advise in particular the development and establishment of the following fields:

• democratic constitutional structures in line with the rule of law in the context of the European understanding of human rights,
• providing a private and economic law foundation for private law activities and the economic exchange of goods and services,
• public law context of entrepreneurial activities against the background of the lawfullness of the administration and the guarantee of the freedom of trade,
• an independent, well-functioning judiciary, including all procedural law foundations, and
• harmonisation of the national legal orders with European law.

 

The extensive competence

The comprehensive specialist basis, as well as the long-term commitment of our members and specialists, have proven their worth as crucial strengths of the IRZ Foundation. This enables us to assure rapid, flexible, coordinated support with no laborious bureaucracy and to maintain this support for an extended period.

The IRZ team consists of the managing director, seven project leaders and 25 other employees. In total, roughly 900 experts work on our projects, covering almost all fields of law. They come from Germany and other EU States, from the European Commission and from institutions with which we cooperate actively:

• the legal and academic associations and chambers,
• the judiciary and administration at Federal and Land level, and
• academia.

The IRZ Foundation is supported by its membership and by a Board of Trustees, composed of personalities from the political, economic, administrative, scientific and legal professional associations in Germany. Many contribute their specialist knowledge to the project work of the IRZ Foundation.

Funding

To perform its task, the IRZ Foundation receives funding from several sources:

• from the budget of the Federal Ministry of Justice,
• from the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe,
• from the European Union project funds, and
• from individual donations, membership subscriptions and money from the support association.

You can support the IRZ Foundation

We would be pleased to receive your support for the work of the IRZ Foundation, either in the form of financial contributions or by working on a project.

We will be pleased to provide you with more information.