ESTABLISHING A SUSTAINABLE LEGAL INFORMATION SYSTEM IN AZERBAIJAN: A CASE STUDY

In this case study we describe the application of the principles set forth in the Practical Guide (Yates & Shapiro, 2010) to establish a sustainable legal information system in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan system was developed and implemented from 2004-2006 pursuant to a USAID-funded project. The initial goal of the project was to assist the Azerbaijan Ministry of Justice to create and maintain a sustainable legal information system, to enable public access to the country's governing laws on a current, complete, and accurate basis 24 hours-a-day, 7 days a week via the Internet and on CD-ROM. Various "on the ground" factors that contributed to the design of the database containing Azerbaijan's laws and those that resulted in deviations from the original plan are discussed in detail, as are recommendations based on lessons learned during the project. Using human performance research as a framework, we conclude with a discussion of the key individual and team performance issues that must be addressed to successfully sustain a legal information system in a developing country.