Sep 15 - ERG Launches “Access To Justice” Initiative
On the occasion of the Annual Civil Society Awards in May this year, the Equality Rights Group announced the commencement of a significant initiative aiming to increase the opportunity of ordinary citizens to be able to avail themselves of proper and full legal representation free of charge in circumstances where, normally, they might fail to qualify for Legal Aid or Assistance.
Felix Alvarez, Chairman of ERG, said: “As part of our commitment and obligation to properly research and study the issues in some depth, I have met and entered into detailed discussions in London with representatives of various UK-based organisations in this field – notably The Access to Justice Foundation, the Bar Council’s Pro Bono Unit, and related NGOs such as Pro Bono Community, LawWorks, and the Federation of Law Centres (pictured, left). As a result, we have been able to gather relevant and practical working data and expertise to be able to gauge the manner in which measures implemented under English law some years ago (Section 194 of the Legal Services Act 2007) could be learnt from and perhaps implemented in the context of Gibraltar.
“This background research having been done, we will now be proceeding to direct consultation and discussions with the Minister for Justice, Gilbert Licudi, in order to lay before him our findings and enter into preliminary exploration of the initiative.
“Our understanding is that Government is already well into a review of provisions for Legal Aid and Legal Assistance. It is in this context, therefore, that the Equality Rights Group is keen to ensure that measures which, at no further cost to the public purse, may result in individuals being able to obtain access to justice through Pro Bono (non-paid) legal representation via a Scheme properly administered and regulated, are properly and sufficiently considered. Such a Scheme would be complementary to – and not substitute – the Legal Aid and Assistance Scheme, and would therefore extend provisions for such access. The benefits to ordinary people’s ability to obtain access to our legal system, as well as to Gibraltar generally as a fair society, are too important to ignore. And it is for this reason that ERG is undertaking this project, a contribution which goes to the very heart of our commitment to people’s rights and to fairness for everyone throughout our social and legal system.
“There will be many issues to iron out. And we fully intend to engage with primary stakeholders such as Government and the Bar Council as well as taking into account other possible stakeholders in that process. We are hopeful and confident that Government will recognise the win-win benefits all round to Gibraltar, its legal community, and its citizens. And ERG, as before, will work diligently and constructively with all parties to make a reliable and successful Pro Bono Legal service an eventual reality. For the sake of the individuals concerned, for this Community as a whole, and because the principle of a fairer Access to Justice system is the only course of action for an ethical and just society.”
