LAB kick start nationwide
registration of legal aid service providers
The
Sierra Leone Legal Aid Board has in a public notice commenced the provisional
accreditation of legal aid service providers in the country. The exercise will
end on the 31 May 2017. Those who fail to register within the deadline would
have committed an offence under the Legal Aid Act 2012. The Act provides that an
organization which provide legal aid without being accredited ‘commits an
offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding thirty million
leones or an imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.’
Explaining
the benefits of being accredited with the Board, the Executive Director of the
Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles said the certificate will
be used to recognize credible legal aid service providers, which is needed by
both government and donors in dealing or providing support to them.
According
to Ms. Carlton-Hanciles accreditation will bring much needed transparency and
openness in the operations of legal aid service providers. ‘It will give an
idea of the number of service providers, areas of the country they operate and
target beneficiaries,’ she said. ‘It will also ensure accountability in the sense
that people will know the amount of support and funds provided to the service
providers and the impact this is having on beneficiaries.’
Ms.
Carlton-Hanciles added that the exercise will help the service providers to coordinate
their interventions. This will prevent wastage and duplication of interventions.
‘Even though we do not have the resources including human to services all those
who qualify for legal aid, accreditation of service providers will ensure we
impact as many people as we possibly can.’
The
Legal Aid providers are required to pick up Accreditation Forms from the Legal
Aid Board office classiest to them. The forms will be processed, approved and
certificate issued in any of the Legal Aid Board offices around the country.
Ms.
Carlton-Hanciles said that on the expiry of the May 31 deadline, donors are
required to provide support or funds to those who are accredited and recognized
by the Board.
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