As part of its training strategies, the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) on February 9, 2024 hosted a public lecture addressing "The Role of the Rwanda Law Reform Commission in Legislative Drafting." Ms Burayobera Umuzayire Bibiane, the Vice Chairperson of the Rwanda Law Reform Commission (RLRC), delivered the lecture to ILPD Trainees in the Executive Mode intake 8 in Kigali, by shedding light on the essential role of the RLRC in shaping legislatives in Rwanda.

The lecture served not only to elucidate the pivotal role of the RLRC in legislative drafting but also provided a comprehensive overview of the Commission itself, the drafting process, the legislative process, and the accessibility of legislations to the public.

Established in 2013, the RLRC is mandated with the mission of reviewing Rwanda's laws to ensure their continuous development and reform in line with evolving societal needs. Ms Burayobera underscored five key functions of the Commission in the legislative drafting process:

• Receiving proposals and considering any proposals for reform of laws that are submitted by an institution or any interested person;

• Ensuring compliance with drafting process-consultations done, research conducted, scoping of matters regulated;

• Ensuring proper drafting of legislation: Compliance with principles of legislative drafting – constitutionality, non-contradiction, consistency with other legislation, gender, Rwandan culture; harmonization with international agreements/treaties;

• Review organization and structure of draft legislation; Translation and language harmonization (Ikinyarwanda, English, French);

• Accompanying legislation from preparation of a draft to its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda and providing legal opinions, advice.

Renowned for its practical approach to legal education, ILPD regularly invites experienced legal practitioners like Ms Burayobera to share their expertise with ILPD trainees. This ensures that aspiring lawyers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic legal landscape and contribute meaningfully to the labor market as competent legal professionals.