Background of the Institute

Bhutan National Legal Institute (BNLI) is a premier national judicial training academy. It was established on 25 February 2011 by Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck under the Judicial Service Act of Bhutan, 2007. The Institute is mandated to provide legal education, trainings and research services in law and related areas for development of legal system and jurisprudence.

Of the several activities and programs carried out by the Institute, the Institute revived, strengthened and institutionalized the age-old informal and amicable resolution of disputes in the communities (Nangkha Nangdrig) under the leadership of Her Royal Highness, Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, the Hon’ble President of the Institute. Beginging in 2011, the Institute trained the local government officials and other relevant agencies and individuals on the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in general and the Mediation in particular. The Institute also serves the Academic Faculty for conducting the Post-Graduate Diploma in National Laws (PGDNL) at the royal Institute of Management, Simtokha. Of the several research and publications of the reports and documents on a regular basis, the Institute brings out country’s first law journal – the Bhutan Law Review on a bi-annual basis. The Institute comprises of Continuing Legal Education Section (CLES); Capacity Building Section (CBS); Research and Development Section (R&DS); ICT and Media Section; and Administration and Finance Section (AFS).