ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Some of Ireland’s top lawyers have swapped their wigs for teaching hats on a trip to Ethiopia.

Former Ireland Attorney General Harry Whelehan and ten colleagues hope to change the war-torn country’s legal system through a series of courses on law. The legal eagles will pass on their knowledge, skills and expertise to 70 of the country’s judges, prosecutors and lawyers as part of the first-ever Rule of Law project.

The six-day mission was organised by Connect Ethiopia, an initiative set up by successful Irish businesspeople to encourage links between the two countries. The visitors, led by Connect Ethiopia co-founder and Dublin lawyer Philip Lee, want to help foster a fair, equitable and independent judiciary in the African country ravaged by civil war.