NEWS
Ministry of Justice Hosts Discussion on Legal Aid Scheme for Sierra Leone
By
Nov 16, 2008, 14:31

The Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Justice Sector Development Programme (JSDP) has concluded a round-table discussion on a National Legal Aid Scheme for Sierra Leone, on Thursday 13^th November 2008 at the Hotel Barmoi. Aberdeen.

Legal Aid refers to the free or inexpensive services provided to respond to the legal needs of people who cannot afford to pay a lawyer. JSDP commissioned a report on the feasibility of a Legal Aid system in Sierra Leone in 2006. The broad recommendation of that report was that an independent and separate entity be established which would be responsible for the provision and administration of Legal Aid in Sierra Leone.

Further to Initial consultations held with key stakeholders, this round-table discussion was held to achieve a consensus on a Legal Aid Scheme with regards to the model of delivery and structure that would be sustainable in Sierra Leone.

Participants included representatives from the Human Rights Commission, the World Bank, the Ombudsman’s Office, the Bar Association, the Police, the Prisons Service, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Law School, the Justice Sector Coordination Office, Access to Justice Law Centre, Makeni, Parliament, Timap for Justice, Campaign for Good Governance, Prison Watch Sierra Leone and Amnesty International.

Topics covered included The Need for Legal Aid in Sierra Leone by Mr. Nana Busia, Country Director, UNDP, and JSDP Legal Aid Initiative, by Peter Viner, Programme Manager JSDP.Presentation on key issues for decision was made by Mr. Melron Nicol-Wilson, lead facilitator and Coordinator of the Legal Aid component, JSDP.

At the end of the round-table discussion, participants came to the conclusion that there is the need for a Pilot Legal Aid Scheme to be initiated and that a hybrid module should be tested and to be administered by a body, which although autonomous, should receive full support and commitment from government.

At present there is no national Legal Aid scheme in Sierra Leone. The State provides limited assistance in Freetown, administered by the Master and Registrar to accused persons tried for capital offences such as murder. Various civil society organisations provide some services ranging from legal advice to legal representation in court. However, this work is not coordinated between the organisations and the State-funded programme and there is little or no linkage between the projects. The schemes run by NGOs are heavily dependent on donor funding and thus impact gravely on sustainability.

“The pilot project is proposed with a view to demonstrating the value and to inform policy development in relation to a scheme that would eventually extend to all regions in Sierra Leone to help less fortunate members of our communities access justice” stated the Hon Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mr. Abdul F. Serry-Kamal.