A Comparative Law and Cultural Course

Date: Friday, March 12, through Saturday, March 20 2004

Location: Havana, Cuba
Time: 12:00 PM - 12:00 PM

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Approximately 20 hours of CLE credit
• Interactive workshops jointly hosted and presented by Cuban legal professionals and Suffolk University Law School faculty
• Opportunity for U.S. and Cuban legal professionals to learn from each other about their respective legal systems and culture in formal workshop settings and informal receptions/luncheons.
• Visit to the local court and local law offices in Havana
• Tour of Havana with a local historian including the Plaza de la Revolucion and the old section
• Visit to the Fine Arts Museum
• Tour of the University of Havana Law School and meeting with faculty members
• Day trip to the City of Matanzas and visit to the local court

TRAVEL DETAILS

• Travel package includes roundtrip airfare from Boston (via Miami)
• Ground transportation and hotel transfers
• Full time Journey Director (local guide) will be available to translate and answer questions
• All breakfasts, 3 dinners, 2 lunches
• Accommodations in 4 star hotels in double rooms
• Registration Fee, Visas, fees

This course is open to all legal professionals who are interested in learning about the Cuban legal system and culture. Although, this course is geared to members of the bar and bench, current law school students are invited to attend. Participants are required to participate in interactive workshops and engage in dialogues with Cuban legal professionals about their respective legal systems and cultures.

THE CUBAN LEGAL SYSTEM

The following lectures will be presented by the Union Nacional de Jurista de Cuba

• The Cuban Political System: Constitutional Framework; Organization of the State; the Electoral System
• Organization and Structure of the Cuban Legal System
• Criminal Law: the Penal Code and Procedure; Characteristics of the Oral Proceeding in Cuba
• The Teaching of the Law in Cuba
• The Exercise of the Law in Cuba-Meeting w/ Trial Lawyers and a visit to a Lawyers Office
• The U.S.-Cuba Conflict: the Blockade; the Cuban People's Lawsuit for Human and Material Damages; the Torricelli and Helms-Burton Acts; Meeting with Directors of the Cuban Society for International Law
• Family Law in Cuba: Meeting w/ Directors of the Cuban Law Society for Civil and Family Law
• Labor Law in Cuba: Meeting w/ Directors of the Cuban Society of Labor Law and Social Security
• Legislation and Environmental Law in Cuba

COMPARISON OF U.S. AND CUBAN LEGAL SYSTEM

The following lectures will be presented by Suffolk University Law School Faculty and Adjunct Faculty

The Historical Roots of the Jury Trial in the U.S.
Honorable Isaac Borenstein
This workshop will address the historical roots of the jury trial in the U.S., including significant cases, its rationale and its impact on society in general and the resolution of cases in particular. Special attention will be paid to its relationship to the doctrine of separation of powers and judicial independence. The importance of jury trials and confidence in the judicial system will also be addressed.

Legal Education in the U.S.
Professor Ilene Seidman
This workshop will provide an overview of clinical legal education in the United States. The relationship between the clinical legal education and poverty/public interest law practice in the US will be examined.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who may attend this course? This course is open to all legal professionals who are interested in learning about the Cuban legal system and culture. Although, this course is geared to members of the bar and bench, current law school students are invited to attend. Participants are required to participate in interactive workshops and engage in dialogues with Cuban legal professionals about their respective legal systems and cultures.

Is attendance limited? Yes, the trip will be limited to no more than forty (40) participants. The first forty (40) will be guaranteed seats, once their final payment is made to eTrav (Educational Travel Alliance.) Subsequent registrants will be put on a wait list or given priority should we offer this course again.

Is it legal to travel to Cuba? The Center for Advanced Legal Studies at Suffolk University Law School has filed an Application for a Specific License under 31 CFR 515.567 (b) with the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The application is pending. We expect the application to be approved by early February. If for some unforeseen circumstance, Suffolk is not granted a license a full refund will be returned to all applicants.

How much does is it cost? The tuition for the course is $300. The tuition is waived for current Suffolk University Law School students and faculty. Registrants who wish to participate in this course must purchase the travel package from eTrav.

The travel package is $2819 per person, based on a minimum group of forty participants, should less than forty register, you may be subject to an additional surcharge, (not to exceed $100), based of double occupancy and a Boston departure. A single room upgrade is available for an additional $350. Please note that the group travel package includes round trip airfare on a chartered airline, (taxes and departure fees included), ground transport to and from the airport to the hotel, a day trip to Mantanzas, seven (7) nights in a four-star hotel and continental breakfast.

Does this course provide credit? The course provides for continuing legal education credit in the following jurisdictions: RI, NH, NY, ME, & VT . Sponsors will assist with accreditation in other jurisdictions. However, this course does not provide JD credit.

Can I invite a spouse, guest or friend to attend? Unfortunately, new regulations and restrictions relating to educational travel to Cuba explicitly state that conference participants may NOT bring a spouse, friend or family member. Only legal professionals who will be participating in the course may attend.

Can I book my own flights? No. As there are a limited number of flights to Cuba, and as the flight schedules frequently change, please be prepared to be flexible until your flights are confirmed 30 days prior to departure. Do not book any domestic flights before consulting with eTrav. As there are extra visa formalities at the airport, and as there are not alternate flights available.

Where will we stay? Currently rooms are being held at the Hotel Telegrafo, an authentic and luxurious four stars accommodation, centrally located in Old Havana. The 63 modern and spacious rooms are located on three floors, 54 well appointed rooms, 3 suites & 6 junior suites are available in this luxurious establishment. Each room has air conditioning, a safety deposit box, telephone and satellite TV. For more information visit: http://cubasun.net/telegrafo

How do I register? To register for the 2004 "Introduction to Cuba and the Cuban Legal System: A Comparative Law and Cultural Course", complete the course registration form (please see the link under "Additional Materials" above). Checks should be made payable to Suffolk University and mailed to:

Center for Advanced Legal Studies
Suffolk University Law School
120 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 573-8627

To sign up for the travel package, please complete the eTrav Registration Form (please see the link under "Additional Materials" above) A $395 minimum per person deposit must be submitted with the form. Deposits should be received ASAP to guarantee a seat. Full payment of the travel package is due no later then February 10. Checks should be made payable to Education Travel Alliance and mail to:

Educational Travel Alliance (ETRAV)
153 Milk Street - Suite 310
Boston, MA 02109
Attention: Steve Hart
(617) 695-9099 shart@etrav.com

What is eTrav (Educational Travel Alliance)?
eTrav is a travel company that coordinates international travel for educational groups. eTrav is fully approved by the US government to make travel arrangements for groups of students and teachers as well as for individuals or groups of educators who wish to go to Cuba to conduct professional research or to attend international conferences in their fields.