Over the course of three days from June 16-18, 2025, all Judiciary personnel, from justices and judges to staff from all departments, attended its first ever, in-country training, during which time all court operations ceased except for emergency matters. This reflects the commitment to having a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in its effort to ensure efficiency in the work of the courts. The training included off-island educators and was made possible through the Judiciary’s compact funds allocated to judicial training.
The training consisted of joint sessions for both justices/judges and staff, with sessions including, procedural justice: learning the core principles of procedural justice and emphasizing the importance of fairness and impartiality; case flow management and accountability and court performance; social media and ethics: how to navigate the ethical complexities of social media usage both professionally and personally; managing workplace stress; and court security. In separate sessions, justices and judges focused on judicial ethics for judges and families, judicial disqualification, and the use of artificial intelligence. Personnel focused on leadership roles and responsibilities, customer service skills, legal advice vs. legal information, meaningful courtroom interpretation, and ethics for court staff.
The training was also designed to encourage open and meaningful interaction among personnel. The Palau Judiciary is grateful for the invaluable assistance from Russ Mathieson, Education Specialist for the Pacific Islands Judicial Programs of the Ninth Circuit to coordinate the training, and to the presenters who spoke over the three days, who were: Justice Daniel Carothers of the North Dakota Supreme Court, and from the Guam Judiciary: Chief Justice Robert Torres of the Guam Supreme Court, Administrator Danielle Rosette, Language Access Manager David Welle, Chief Marshal Leo S. Diaz, and Deputy Marshals Cameron Mantanona and Greg Cruz. The seminar concluded with a question-and-answer session, allowing attendees to refresh their skills in their day-to-day work in the justice system. The Palau Judiciary is committed to maintaining a skilled and trained workforce to assist the public, and this training is but one way to ensure consistency in services and to continue to maintain the integrity of court proceedings and the high ethical standards of the Judiciary.