Department of Law, East West University organised a session with US District Judge John Blakey

The Department of Law, East West University, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy's Department of Justice- Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (DOJ-OPDAT), and Hearth Bangladesh organised the session 'An Afternoon with Judge Blakey' on 5 May 2023. John Robert Blakey, District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, graced the session as the resource person. The afternoon session delved into the nuts and bolts of the trial procedure in the USA. All the current students of the law clinic program, together with some enthusiastic senior students of the Department, attended this session.

The program started with the opening remarks from Dr. Muhammad Ziaulhaq Mamun, Pro-Vice Chancellor of East West University. He warmly welcomed the distinguished guest and the participants. After expressing everyone's eagerness to learn from the resource person about the details of the American legal system, he invited Judge Blakey to the podium.

Judge Blakey began his address by shedding light on the state and federal court systems, which differ from the Bangladeshi judicial system. He then introduced the young participants to the courtroom procedures and the distinct roles of the judge and the jury in American courts. Both work together hand in hand to ensure justice, he remarked. During the trial, a judge determines the appropriate laws and evidence to be applied to the case. In contrast, the jury members reach a verdict based on the facts and evidence presented to them. Furthermore, he emphasised the significance of having a jury system where 12 sets of eyes and ears can bring out the truth behind a fact. An interactive discussion between Judge Blakey and the participants followed his address. Throughout this part, participants asked questions and got the opportunity to delve into the framework of the US justice system and assess its merits and weaknesses.

The session ended with a closing remark by Dr. Md. Mehedi Hasan, Chairperson and Assistant Professor, Department of Law, East West University. He expressed his gratitude towards the resource person and all other faculty members of the Department of Law for their presence. Finally, he wrapped up the program with a sense of appreciation for the participants' keenness. The Department of Law, East West University, desires to arrange more similar programs to disseminate diverse knowledge to its young legal minds in the near future.      

The event was covered by Nowshin Mustafa, law student at East West University.