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Showing posts from July 26, 2016

Bar and Legal Aid discuss access to justice

The Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), Mr. Julian Cole has called on the Sierra Leone Legal Board to assist with finding a solution to issues of bail processing and approval. Cole noted that those charged with approving bail do impose their own conditions and this is imposing obstacles in securing bail for accused persons. Cole registered the concern when the new executive of the Bar Association met with the management of the Legal Aid Board on Tuesday, July 26. Cole lauded the Legal Aid Board for the significant progress in promoting access to justice and the commitment shown by its lawyers in handling a lot of cases in court. The President of the Association, Ms. Rhoda Souffian Kargbo Nuni said her Association will build on the partnership between the two institutions. ‘If you need any assistance from us, please let us know,’ she said. ‘When the Board succeeds, the profession can take some of the credit.’ Ms. Nuni lauded the Board for employing

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

As a Lawyer who has practiced in Sierra Leone before joining the international tribunal, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, I have seen firsthand how accused persons had to endure countless adjournments and months on remand due to lack of legal advice and representation.

My experience working with the Sierra Leone Legal Aid Board since its establishment in May 2015 has broadened my understanding of the depth of the challenges plaguing the formal and traditional justice systems.

I have visited overcrowded prisons and police cells around the country. I have seen many accused persons literally abandoned in prison either because they cannot secure a bail or have not been with an indictment. Some have spent more time in remand than the maximum sentence for the crimes they are alleged to have committed. I have seen victims of domestic violence, rape and discrimination on the basis of gender resort to divine intervention because they cannot afford the cost of accessing justice.

I have seen powerful self-styled local lawyers run the show in the local/traditional courts and in the process abuse the rights of people and the Local Court Act 2011.

We have engaged and canvassed the views of agencies in the justice sector, Parliamentarians and non-governmental organizations. The interest in and expectations of the organization are heartwarming but also breathtaking.

This is what drives our commitment to deliver on our mandate to make justice accessible to those who have been left out because they are poor. For a start, we will deploy Paralegals in Police Stations in the capital and the 149 chiefdoms in the country to monitor Local Courts to ensure their activities are consistent with national laws and international human rights standards. Also, we will hire 100 Lawyers to provide free legal services to our clients.

This is without doubt a tall order considering the organization is new and the resources at its disposal are far from being adequate. We are convinced with support from the government, donors and well-wishers we can make a world of difference in the lives of ordinary people and in the process contribute to restoring much needed confidence in the justice system.