Kampala — PEPPERDINE University School of Law and the Ugandan Judiciary entered a cooperation agreement at the High Court in Kampala on Friday.

The former dean at the US-based law school, Prof Kenneth Starr, signed on behalf of the university while Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki signed on behalf of the Judiciary.

Starr, also a former US Court of Appeal justice and Solicitor General, is renown for investigating former US president Bill Clinton's extra-marital affair with an intern, Monica Lewinsky. The investigation led to the unsuccessful impeachment of Clinton.

It was agreed that Pepperdine students would continue to assist courts in Uganda and the Judiciary on legal research and writing and drafting of opinions. Other assistance would be in summarising cases, helping with the registry and other projects as the court may deem appropriate.

The programme, to be coordinated by Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire of the High Court's Commercial Division, would also include training in the alternative dispute resolution and mediation procedures.

Pepperdine and the Judiciary would explore opportunities for training in the field of dispute resolution and mediation through the Strauss Institute for Alternative Dispute Resolution based at the university. The training could be held in the US or Uganda.

"Uganda may send judges to Pepperdine's Bryne Judicial Clerkship Institute or Pepperdine may send personnel to Uganda to assess the needs and consider options," the memorandum of understanding read. On training and education in other topics, it was proposed that Pepperdine may provide expertise or training from time to time in other areas of the law.

"Pepperdine will continue collaborating with the Judiciary on law reporting initiatives and will seek to assist in developing protocols and best practices for Uganda," Starr said.

The agreement, it was agreed can only be terminated by January 1 of each year.