The German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ) was established as a registered association in May 1992 on the initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Justice . The establishment was preceded by various inquiries of the transition countries of Central, Eastern and partly also South Eastern Europe asking the Federal Ministry of Justice for assistance in the upcoming reforms.

 

Almost all transformation states were striving for a rule-of-law democracy, needed to set up a new constitution and in some parts had to build an entirely new stategoverned by the rule of law on this basis. Since Germany had a model function for many of the above-mentioned states, all the more so as it had made very specific experiences with the unification of the law with the former GDR, German legislative consultation was the first area which was in especially great demand. What is more, further training events were commenced back then for all legal professions – for judges, public prosecutors, lawyers and notaries. Since then, the IRZ has been supporting its partner countries in the establishment of an independent and well-functioning judicial apparatus, including procedural law foundations, as well as in the harmonisation of their national legal system with European Union law.

 

The following goals are especially in the foreground:

• to establish constitutional structures in line with the rule of law
• to support a stable private law system, especially with regard to private property law
• to create the outline conditions for private law activities and the economicexchange of goods and services
• to create a public law context for entrepreneurial activities against thebackground of a lawful administration and the guarantee of the freedom of trade
• to support a criminal law system in line with European standards

 

The IRZ works both by order of and with funding from the Federal Ministry of Justice and through project-related funds by the Federal Foreign Office, amongst others. Additionally, the IRZ Foundation implements EU projects which are initiated and funded by the European Commission within the framework of its neighbouring and accession policy.

 

Strategy

Since its establishment, the IRZ has been providing sustainable consultation to its partner states in the reform of their legal systems as well as their judiciary, as commissioned by the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Justice in particular. The IRZ is furthermore active within the framework of third-party funded projects, e.g. of the EU, the Federal Foreign Office and many others.

 

The rule of law and democratisation in all respects are a prerequisite and guarantee for protecting fundamental freedoms, strengthening stable governmental and social structures and stimulating economic growth. The German law has a model function in many respects – the IRZ conveys this function with know-how and a great deal of experience.