COMMISSION TO LAUNCH NEW PLAN

The Legal Aid Commission will launch its new three-year strategic plan which aims to increase the commission’s effectiveness in providing access to justice to poor and vulnerable Fijians who cannot afford private lawyers.

The 2019 - 2021 strategic plan will be officially launched by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, at the first-ever Pacific Legal Aid Conference on August 21, 2019 organised by the commission. Commission chairman Sharvada Sharma said: “I am proud to be associated with such a noble organisation which is, in fact, the largest law firm in Fiji and commend the work of its staff in ensuring that we continue to promote greater access to justice for all Fijians, as enshrined in the Constitution.” Commission director, Shahin Ali said the commission has maintained international best practices and standards by adhering to the United Nations principles and guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems. The commission’s strategic approach includes the provision and extension of a number of legal aid services in criminal, family and civil matters to Fijians who were deprived in the past because of affordability and location.

This includes free legal advice, representation in court, first-hour services, certification and witnessing of documents, creation of wills and community awareness programmes which help Fijians understand their legal rights.

The commission’s plan is also in line with the Government’s policy of taking essential services to the most rural and remote areas of Fiji thereby making access to justice a reality.

“This three-year strategic plan provides the commission with a solid and strategic direction in terms of effectively fulfilling our mandate. We want to ensure that every Fijian gets justice regardless of their socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender or location,” Mr Ali said.