Annual Report on the Activities of Armenian Young Lawyers Association for 2003

 

Table of Contents

1. Address of the President of Armenian Young Lawyers Association
2. General Information
3. The International Audit Conclusion and Financial Reports on the Financial Assets of Armenian Young Lawyers Association for 2003
   • Audit’s report on the special financial reports
   • Balance Sheet
   • Statement of Activities
   • Cash Flow Statement
4. Annual Report on the Activities of Armenian Young Lawyers Association for 2003
   • Implemented activities
   • Statistics of the implemented activities
   • Other implemented activities

 

I. Address of the President of Armenian Young Lawyers Association

Dear friends,

We have the pleasure to introduce to your attention the Annual Report of Armenian Young Lawyers Association for 2003. I am grateful for the valuable support you provided to the Association in the course of this year.

This is a brief summary of the activities that Armenian Young Lawyers Association carried out in the course of the past year.

The organization improved the quality of the provided services and it was also crucial from the aspect of the organization’s institutional development. The organization tried to expand the geographical area and to improve the efficiency of the provided services to its beneficiaries.

Publication of the Annual reports has become a tradition for Armenian Young Lawyers Association. AYLA introduces to the public a report on the activities, which the organization carried out during a year. This helps to make the organization’s work more transparent, which in its turn serves as an evidence of the organization’s maturity and indicates the fact that the organization is entering a new development stage.

In 2004 we and our adherents will do our best in order to realize our mission and strategy: “to develop a new generation of highly professional lawyers, which have new mode of thinking and will promote to the establishment of the rule of law, democracy and formation of the civil society in Armenia, where the people are aware of their rights and their rights are protected” thus making a reality this provision of our Mission.

We are open for co-operation with all those who strive to see Armenia as a true legal and democratic state, with domination of the rule of law and where the people are aware of their rights and their rights are protected.

In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to the beneficiaries, supporters, colleagues, representatives of Mass Media, the members of the organization as well as to its staff for their devotion and excellent performance of their official duties, which help to realize the Association’s activities in 2003.

 

Respects,

Karen Zadoyan,

Advocate,

President of Armenian Young Lawyers Association

1. General Information

 

A group of the students of the faculty of law from the Yerevan State University founded the NGO “Armenian Young Lawyers Association” in 1995. It was registered at the RA Ministry of Justice on March 14, 1995. The organization was re-registered in May 1997, December 1999 and December 2002.

The Mission of the Association is:

To develop a new generation of highly professional lawyers, which have new mode of thinking and will promote to the establishment of the rule of law, democracy and formation of the civil society in Armenia, where the people are aware of their rights and their rights are protected.

The values of Armenian Young Lawyers Association are:

1. The modern legal culture, which is based on the heritage of the centuries old Armenian values.
2. Legally educated and knowing society, which is aware of its rights.
3. Highly professional lawyers and advocates, which possess new mode of legal thinking, and protected human rights
4. Powerful non-governmental organizations and strong civil society.

The Future Vision of the Association is:

The Armenian Young Lawyers Association should be one of the most influential, well-known, powerful and useful organizations in the legal field of Armenia, having conscious, adherents, which possess the modern thinking and be highly professional lawyers.

AYLA joins lawyers, advocates and law students. According to the latest data the organization has about 270 members and volunteers.

The organization has 7 offices, which are located in:

Yerevan (the Central Office and the Office of Yerevan Province)

Vanadzor (AYLA branch office in Lori province)

Kapan (AYLA branch office in Syunik province)

Gyumri (AYLA branch office in Shirak province)

Gavar (AYLA branch office in Gegharkunik province)

Ijevan (AYLA branch office in Tavush province)

Goris (Goris regional office of AYLA branch in Syunik province).

The organization held its last General Meeting on December 5, 2002. The General Meeting elected the Board of the organization:

Name	Profession	Title
Karen Zadoyan	advocate	AYLA President
David Abgaryan	advocate	AYLA Vice-President
Narineh Karapetyan	human rights specialist	AYLA Responsible Secretary
Artsrun Mirzoyan	lawyer	AYLA Board member
Garik Hayrapetyan	lawyer	AYLA Board member
Lusineh Abgaryan	lawyer	AYLA Board member
Arshavir Khalapyan	lawyer	AYLA Board member
Liana Harutyunyan	advocate	AYLA Board member
Artyom Piloyan	lawyer	AYLA Board member

 

 

III. The International Audit Conclusion and Financial Reports on the Financial Assets of Armenian Young Lawyers Association for 2003

Audit’s report on the special financial reports

“Armenian Young Lawyers Association” non-governmental organization

Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003

To the General Assembly and Executive Board of “Armenian Young Lawyers Association” non-governmental organization,

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of the “Armenian Young Lawyers Association” non-governmental organization (Organization) as of December 31, 2003, and the related statements of activities and cash flows for the year then ended (financial statements). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Organization’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. In our auditor’s report dated March 29, 2003, we expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial statements of the Organization as of and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002.

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Organization management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the “Armenian Young Lawyers Association” non-governmental organization as of December 31, 2003, and of the results of its operations and its cash flows for year then ended in accordance with International Accounting Standards.

 

BALANCE SHEET

“Armenian Young Lawyers Association” non-governmental organization

As of December 31

In thousand drams

 

			2003		2002
	Note		(audited)		(audited)
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment	3		41,776		36,509
Intangible assets			177		–
			41,953		36,509
Current assets
Prepayments	4		7,226		14,205
Cash and cash equivalents	5		39,698		16,286
			46,924		30,491
TOTAL ASSETS			88,877		67,000
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
EQUITY
Accumulated net result	(*)		465		–
			465		–
LIABILITIES
Non-current liabilities
Grants	7		87,061		66,960
			87,061		66,960
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	8		1,351		40
			1,351		40
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES			88,877		67,000

 

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

“Armenian Young Lawyers Association” non-governmental organization

As of December 31

In thousand drams

			2003		2002
	Note		(audited)		(audited)
INCOME
Membership fees recognized as income			844		1,578
Grants recognized as income	7		56,601		78,035
			57,445		79,613
EXPENSES
Operating expenses from membership fees	6		379		1,578
Operating expenses from grants	9		56,601		78,035
			56,980		79,613
Net result for the year			465		–

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

“Armenian Young Lawyers Association” non-governmental organization

For the year ended December 31

In thousand drams

 

	2003		2002
	(audited)		(audited)
Cash flow from operating activities
Net result for the year	465		–
Donated property, plant and equipment	1,429		–
Annual depreciation of property plant and equipment	8,631		4,268
	10,525		4,268
Changes in working capital
Net decrease/(increase) of accounts receivable	6,979		(13,844)
Net increase/(decrease) of accounts payable	1,311		35
Net inflow/(outflow) from membership fees	–		(12,255)
Net inflow/(outflow) from grants	20,101		37,263
Total cash flows from operating activities	38,916		15,467
Cash flows from investment activities
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets	(15,504)		(28,770)
Total cash flows from investment activities	(15,504)		(28,770)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net inflow/ (outflow) from financing activities	–		(665)
Total cash flows from financing activities	–		(665)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	23,412		(13,968)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period	16,286		30,254
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	39,698		16,286

 

1. Annual Report on the Activities of Armenian Young Lawyers Association for 2003

 

1. Implemented activities

In 2003 the Association continued implementation of a number of projects that had started during the past years:

1. “Legal Training and Information Center”

One of AYLA’s main projects, which started in 2000 and lasted till November 30, 2003. Seminars and trainings on different spheres of the Armenian legislation as well as on international law were organized for the young lawyers, advocates and law students in the framework of this project. Computer courses and the courses of English language were organized for them as well. They also gained access to legal resources such as the legal library, Armenian legislative computer software program as well as to computer, Internet and fax services. The socially vulnerable groups of Armenia’s population received free legal services. The details on this project are available at the official website of Armenian Young Lawyers Association at www.ayla.am. The project was supported by the Dutch “Cordaid” Charitable Organization and Armenian Representation of American Bar Association Central and East European Law Initiative (ABA CEELI).

1. “Legal Aid to Refugees and Asylum Seekers.”

The organization provided free legal services to refugees and the people-seeking asylum as well as protection of their rights and legal interest in the court. The details on this project are available at the official website of Armenian Young Lawyers Association at www.ayla.am. The project was supported by UNHCR.

1. “The 2003 Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition”

“Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition” is one of the most widely known and respected world spread competitions for the law students. The competition is dated back to 1959. The final round of the Armenian National Competition took place in February 2003. Student’s teams of the law schools and the departments of law of other institutes of Armenia took part in the competition. The student’s team of the law department of Yerevan State University, the winner of the National Round took part in the final international round, which took place in Washington, US. Teams from 83 countries met at the international round of the Complementation.  The details on “Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition” are available at the official website of “Philip Jessup Law Moot Court Competition Armenian Round” www.jessup.ayla.am. The project was supported by Armenian representation of American Bar Association Central and East European Law Initiative (ABA CEELI).

1. “Regional Legal Training and Information Center”

The project started in 2002 and lasted till June 30, 2003. Seminars and trainings on different areas of the Armenian legislation were organized for the young lawyers, advocates and students in the framework of this project. Computer courses and the courses of English language were organized for them as well. They also gained access to legal resources such as the legal library, RA legislative computer software program as well as to computer, Internet and fax services. The socially vulnerable groups of RA population received free legal services. The details on this project are available at the official website of Armenian Young Lawyers Association at www.ayla.am. The project was supported by the Armenian Representation of American Bar Association Central and East European Law Initiative (ABA CEELI).

1. “Legal Resources and Aid”

The project started on October 1, 2003. The activities of the project include:

• Assist the young lawyers, young advocates and law students to continue their legal education,
• Continue operation of AYLA training and information centers,
• Continue providing free legal services to socially vulnerable layers of the population
• Foundation of AYLA Law Students’ Division
• Foundation of Professional Committees
• Participation in realization of procedural observation

The details on this project are available at the official website of Armenian Young Lawyers Association at www.ayla.am. The project was supported by the Armenian Representation of American Bar Association Central and East European Law Initiative (ABA CEELI).

1. “The 2004 Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition”

The project aimed at organizing for the fourth time the National Round of Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Armenia among the student’s teams of the law schools and the departments of law of other institutes. The winner of the National Competition took part in the final international round, which took place in Washington, US in early 2004. The details on “Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition” are available at the official website of “Philip Jessup Law Moot Court Competition Armenian Round” www.jessup.ayla.am. The project was supported by the US Embassy in Armenia.

1. “Capacity Building of RA Tavush and Gegharkunik Provinces”

The project started in 2000 and lasted till September 30, 2003. The project aimed at establishment of the civil society in Tavush and Gegharkunik provinces of RA. 8 NGOs received sub-grants from AYLA in the framework of the project.  The Association realized the general management of the project as well. AYLA founded its Regional Center for Legal Training, Information and Aid in the city Ijevan. The details on this project are available at the official website of Armenian Young Lawyers Association at www.ayla.am. The project was supported by Great Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID).

1. “AYLA Strengthening”

The project has started on December1, 2003. The project aims at strengthening the institutional capacity of the Association and to continue providing free legal services, making them more accessible and effective. The details on this project are available at the official website of Armenian Young Lawyers Association at www.ayla.am. The project was supported by the Dutch “Cordaid” Charitable Organization.

2. Statistics of implemented activities

 

AYLA offices provided the following services in the scope of work of all projects implemented in 2003:

Provision of legal resources

1. Provision of modern legal literature
2. Provision of legal video production
3. Provision of computer, fax, e-mail and Internet services
4. Provision of RA legislative computer software program

 

8304 people made use of the legal resources of AYLA in 2003. 4728 people of this amount or 56.94% used the legal literature, 3576 or 43.06% used the Armenian legislative computer software program and other services (computer, Internet and fax):

Type	Number	%
Legal literature	4728	56.94
Computer systems	3576	43.06
Total	8304	100

 

2839 people or 34.19% of the users are male and 5465 people or 65.81% are female.

Sex	Number	%
female	5465	65.81
male	2839	34.19
total	8304	100

 

 

 

 

Organization of seminars and trainings

 

1. Seminars and trainings on different areas of the Armenian legislation and International Law

In 2003 AYLA offices organized 160 seminars on different spheres of the Armenian legislation and International Law. About 231 lawyers and law students attended the seminars.

1. Courses on Human Rights and European Law

AYLA Central Office organized 6 training courses on Human Rights and European Law. Each training course included a series of 8 seminars. 60 lawyers and law students attended the courses.

1. English language courses for lawyers

AYLA Central Office organized 6 English language courses. Each course consisted of 50 seminars and about 60 lawyers and law students attended the courses.

1. Computer Courses for Lawyers

AYLA Central Office organized 6 computer courses. Each course consisted of 50 seminars and about 60 lawyers and law students attended the courses.

Free legal services and advocacy

 

In 2003 AYLA offices provided free legal services and court representative services to 6815 people. 2919 people or 42.83% were male and 3896 or 57.17% were female.

The statistics of the provided services according to the spheres of the right is as follows:

Spheres of the free legal services	Number of beneficiaries per area	Percentage of beneficiaries
Pensions	394	5.78
Allowances	433	6.35
Housing	567	8.32
Labor	937	13.75
Family and domestic relations	928	13.62
Proprietorship	469	6.88
Liabilities	208	3.05
Heritage	612	8.98
Bargains and contracts	380	5.58
Criminal law	246	3.61
Bound to military service	258	3.79
Refugees and asylum seekers	113	1.66
Through Internet	85	1.25
Other legal issues	1185	17.38
TOTAL	6815	100

Statistics according to sex of the beneficiaries

sex	Number	%
male	2919	42.83
female	3896	57.17
total	6815	100

 

 

 

 

 

3. Other implemented activities

 

During the 2003 AYLA implemented other activities as well. The most noticeable of which are:

2002. In June 2003 the international Grant Thornton Amyot LLC Audit Company realized the audit of AYLA’s activities for fiscal years 2001 and 2002. In June 2004 the company realized the international financial audit, which evaluated the organization’s activities positively.

2003. In April 2003 AYLA realized the self-assessment of its activities carried out in the period of March 2000 to March 2003. The self-assessment was realized with joint efforts of Organizations’ Institution Building Advisor of Armenian representation of American Bar Association Central and East European Law Initiative (ABA CEELI) and in-house supporters. In January 2004 AYLA realized the self-assessment for the period of March-December, 2003 and elaborated the development plans for the relevant periods as well. AYLA management has successfully realized nearly all the activities, which were foreseen in the Development Plan for the period of March-December, 2003.

2004. In 2003 AYLA elaborated its Strategic Plan for the period of 2004-2006, which became operational on January 1, 2004.

2002. In 2003 Armenian Young Lawyers Association published the Annual Reports of the Organization’s activities, which had been carried out in 2001 and 2002. The report was published in Armenian and English languages, and was distributed among AYLA’s partners, beneficiaries, corresponding state bodies, Mass Media, international and local organizations.

1. At the turn of the year 2003 AYLA launched its official website ayla.am in Armenian and English languages.

1. On May 29-31 an international conference “Citizens’ Advice and Information Services in Enlarged Europe” was held in Poland in the place Klekotki near the city Olszten. Over 50 participants from 15 European countries attended the Conference. David Abgaryan. AYLA Vice-President took part in the seminar as well. The main aim of the conference was to bring together the individuals from countries that had participated in the CAIS program funded by the department for International development (DFID), United Kingdom, and others who had a key role in promoting or providing independent citizens advice services in Europe. The Conference provided a forum at which the participants discussed their experience (the experience of the United Kingdom and Poland), the future role of citizens’ advice and information services in Europe, the needs of national citizens’ advice networks, collaboration across borders and the challenges. They discussed the issues in the connection with the Memorandum adopted in Vilnius in 2002 as well as other issues. Four Discussion groups carried out discussed the issues focusing on strategy for future, cross-border, cooperation, CAIS in enlarged EU, and plan of action to submit a proposal for major CAIS project under the EC’s Sixth Framework Program.