Towards Institutional Justice? A Review of the Work of Cambodia’s Cadastral Commission in Relation to Land Dispute Resolution

This is a mixed methods study on the Cambodian Cadastral Commission (CC), a body set up in June 2002 to resolve disputes involving unregistered land. It was conducted by the Center for Advanced Study in collaboration with the World Bank Justice for the Poor Program, National Cadastral Commission Secretariat and the German Development Cooperation (GTZ). The study undertakes a review of the functioning of the CC and evaluates a new case management/incentive scheme which was being piloted with the support of GTZ. Data sources include (a) a survey of party satisfaction with the CC process, (b) an analysis of case files at district and provincial level offices of the CC; (c) semi-structured interviews with CC staff; and (d) qualitative case studies of land disputes before the CC. The study finds that the pilot did have a positive effect on the work of the CC but that it was poorly designed from an evaluation perspective and as such that it is difficult to quantify the impact. The report also includes recommendations for reforms which could enhance the extent to which the CC offers access to justice for the poor.

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