10th Tibetan Law and Custom Counsellor Training by TSJC Underway at ATWS, Dharamshala
By ATWS Staff Editor :
ATWS Dharamshala, July 23, 2026: A 10-Day Tibetan Law and Custom Counsellor Training organized by the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration is underway at the Administrative Training and Welfare Society, Dharamshala from July 20 to 29th, 2026. ATWS is providing venue and service facilities during the event.
The Inaugural session was presided over by Chief Justice Commissioner, Mrs. Yeshi Wangmo la along with Justice Commissioner, Mr. Phagpa Tsering la and General Secretary Mr. Lhaduk la.
Mrs, Yeshi Wangmo la, in her introductory remarks, primarily spoke on the purpose and objectives of organizing the workshop.
She stated that the workshop was designed to provide practical legal knowledge and services for the benefit of the Tibetan community, recognizing the generally low level of awareness regarding legal procedures and the handling of legal matters. She noted that the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission (TSJC) had successfully organized nine such workshops in the past, with the most recent one held in 2019. Following a gap of seven years and extensive planning, the Commission was pleased to organize the 10th Legal Workshop.
At the outset, she highlighted the strength and significance of the democratic framework under which the Central Tibetan Administration continues to function effectively in exile, in accordance with the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
She explained that, among the three pillars of democracy, the Judiciary was established in 1992. For the effective functioning of the judicial system, she emphasized the importance of young legal professionals adhering to the three principal legal codes—the Tibetan Judiciary Code, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the Evidence Code—whenever cases are instituted under the jurisdiction of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission. She noted that these legal codes were formulated under the Charter of the Central Tibetan Administration to meet the unique needs of the Tibetan democratic community in exile.
She further expressed concern over the shortage of competent professionals in the Community. She informed the participants that approximately 280 individuals had registered for the current workshop and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to enrolling as many participants as possible in the current training given that huge resources are consumed in organizing each training.
She encouraged the participants to remain steadfast in upholding the integrity and credibility of the Central Tibetan Administration while carrying out their day-to-day responsibilities, thereby contributing to its long-term sustainability until the Tibetan cause is resolved. She also reminded them to remain mindful of the reality that Tibet continues to be under the illegal occupation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In this context, she urged them to consider themselves fortunate to have the opportunity to serve within a democratic system established through the vision, grace, and blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
She further urged the participants to take responsibility for dispelling misconceptions within the community by providing clear and accurate explanations of the legal codes whenever misinformation is spread by individuals with incomplete legal knowledge. She observed that, despite TSJC’s continuous legal awareness programmes conducted in 2021, 2022, and 2023, legal awareness among the public remained limited.
Furthermore, she drew the participants’ attention to the powers and responsibilities of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission as prescribed under the relevant legal codes, including matters such as land disputes falling within the jurisdiction of the Central Tibetan Administration. She explained that these legal provisions had been specifically framed to address the needs and circumstances of the Tibetan community in exile and could also serve as valuable learning experiences for the future, should Tibet regain its freedom, as frequently envisioned by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. At the same time, she reminded the participants to remain conscious of and compliant with the laws of their respective host countries.
In her concluding remarks, she urged all participants to uphold the workshop’s code of conduct throughout their stay. She specifically advised them to refrain from discussing or becoming involved in any past or ongoing legal cases during the programme and encouraged them to utilize the workshop exclusively as a learning opportunity so that they could effectively serve their respective communities upon their return.
Around twenty-five participants are participating in the training.
The Training is being led by Mr. Lhadup la, General Secretary of TSJC, Mrs. Choekyi la, Justice Commissioner at the Tibetan Local Justice Commission, Northern Region, Mr. Phuntsok Palden la, Justice Commissioner at the Tibetan Local Justice Commission, Southern Region, Mr. Pema Sangpo la, Local Justice Commissioner of Tibetan Local Justice Commission, Ladakh Region and Mrs. Rinchen Zangmo la, Deputy Secretary of Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, Dharamshala.
Over the course of the Training, the participants are engaging in various sessions on Tibetan Charter, Tibetan Code of Civil Procedure, Tibetan Law of Evidence, Guidelines on Tibetan Law and Custom Counsellor.
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