LEGAL AID COUNCIL
The Legal Aid Council paid over to Attorneys some $40M in the Duty Counsel Scheme during the last financial year. This amount covered arrears as well as current obligations to the Council.
During the period under review 827 cases were completed, which saw 347 at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, 196 at the Gun Court, 243 in the Circuit Court, 41 at the Court of Appeal and 341 persons received duty counsel at Police Stations.
A Sensitisation Seminar was staged by the Council, for Attorneys and to familiarise the public on the functions of the duty counsel and how they can benefit from this programme. More persons are now aware of the Council and its work. Legal Aid plays a vital role in maintaining social stability as persons unable to have proper representation in court, have the opportunity of securing competent attorneys to defend their cases.
The commitments of the Lawyers on board will continue to keep the Council active. The Council hopes to set up an additional clinic in
