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Showing posts from August 5, 2016

Legal Aid approves Guide to simplify operations

‘I would advise that after today’s workshop, steps would be taken to make the Guide a Statutory Instrument for it to have the force of law and bind all accredited legal aid providers. I would enjoin all participants to go through the draft Legal Aid Guide meticulously so as to make it a very good instrument in the furtherance of the work of the Board and the delivery of justice in our beloved country.’ Hon. Chief Justice, Abdulai Charm made these remarks at the endorsement meeting on the Legal Aid Guide held at the Cube Restaurant on Thursday, August 4. The Chief Justice intimated that the Judiciary’s continued involvement and willingness to participate in the work of legal aid institutions is not accidental rather it is founded on a strong legal basis because Section 120 of the national Constitution confers all judicial power in Sierra Leone on the Judiciary which is headed by the Chief Justice. The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanci...

AG Counsel Legal Aid clients

AG Counsel Legal Aid clients. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Joseph Kamara told three newly discharged clients of the Legal Aid Board that they have another chance to start life. Hon. Kamara performed his first public function following the gruesome accident he was involved in by participating in pre-discharge counselling session at the Legal Aid Board head office on Tuesday, August 2. ‘You do not condemn a child to the very end,’ he said. ‘We do not see you as people who are condemned. We see you as victims like many others and this is why the Government is interested in your welfare.’ Hon. Joseph Kamara said the government will help to rehabilita...

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.