7.5.4 Monitor-pairing Assigning monitors to work in pairs is a method of organizing a monitoring team that has been found to provide support to inexperienced monitors. Specifically, pairing provides additional support against external pressures especially where there is institutional resistance to monitoring in the early stages of a programme. In addition, pairing also allows for a sharing of monitoring responsibilities, including observation of cases and report writing. In the early stages, joint responsibilities may also support more thorough monitoring and allow a fuller consideration of issues. As monitors achieve the necessary level of experience and skill, however, the benefits of pairing may become outweighed by the costs of duplicating efforts at the expense of wider monitoring coverage. 7.5.5 Monitor rotation In many large-scale programmes, monitors are assigned a particular court or region to monitor as a result of geographic considerations. On the one hand, there are advantages to having a monitor become familiar with a specific court. This may promote increased knowledge of local practices and enhanced working relationships with court officials that permit access. Especially in rural areas or smaller courts, however, such assignment may also result in the monitoring of a limited spectrum of cases, or repeat appearances before the same judge. Over a longer period of time, this may result in underexposure to specific cases or issues, or too close a relationship developing between the monitor and local legal actors. To allow for wider monitoring experiences that will better ensure continued monitor independence and development, programmes should consider rotating monitors where possible among different regions and courts. 7.5.6 External educational opportunities International and domestic organizations engaged in justice-system reform in a host state may often conduct informative conferences, seminars, or training sessions on issues related to programme activities. Programmes should take advantage of the opportunity to include monitors and other staff in these activities. Not only are such events opportunities to provide continuing education to staff, but conferences and other forums are opportunities for staff to share monitoring results more widely, subject to the programme’s information-sharing and confidentiality policies. 7.6 Best practices for organizing programme procedures and field support 98 • Prior to the commencement of the programme, the organizer should develop programme procedures and materials, including a code of conduct, monitoring instructions, legal reference materials, and training materials. • In drafting a code of conduct, the organizer should incorporate the principles of the programme into the working methods of the monitors and other staff, including the duties of non-intervention, professionalism, and confidentiality. Trial-Monitoring: A Reference Manual for Practitioners