Background

The UNDP Country Office in the Solomon Islands is implementing a range of projects in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At Goal 5 there is a commitment to achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. At Goal 11 there is a commitment to reducing inequalities between different groups of people in society. At Goal 16 there is commitment to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Strengthening access to justice, rule of law and promoting human rights are cornerstones of UNDP’s work to achieve sustainable human development.

Strengthening access to justice, the rule of law and promoting human rights are cornerstones of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) work to achieve sustainable human development. The Solomon Islands Access to Justice (A2J) Project supports the building and capacity strengthening of the Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO) to enhance access to justice for the people of the Solomon Islands at national and provincial levels, particularly marginalised groups including women, youth and people with disabilities (PWDs). The project is implemented through a two-tiered paralegal initiative of provincial paralegals and community legal advocates.

Online legal research is a primary research method utilised across Solomon Islands justice sector agencies. The primary research tool for many in the justice sector has been the free resource of the Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute (PACLII). This includes access to primary materials of legislation and judgments, as well as decisions from some panels and tribunals in the Pacific Region. 

The A2J Project is supporting the procurement of premium online legal research resources to support the PSO and broader justice sector agencies. These include the Judiciary, Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (MJLA), Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Police Prosecutions Directorate, Human Rights Ombudsman, Law Reform Commission and the Registrar General. These resources will include legal databases with access to extensive legislation, case law, journal articles, commentary and textbooks for Pacific, UK, Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions. The premium platforms will also provide comprehensive training on the use of the resources for the sector. This will enhance the legal research capability through the equality of access to resources across the sector. 

The purpose of the UNDP request is to invite proposals from reputable and qualified companies with a track record of success in providing access to online legal research resources and training. This will identify the best resources for the country context.