By Pemphero Malimba:
The Legal Aid Bureau has clocked 10 years, time it says it has used to promote access to justice.
The bureau was established in 2015 under the Legal Aid Act to provide legal aid services to persons who cannot afford private legal services in the country.
Among other things, it provides legal aid through legal advice, legal assistance, legal representation and the provision of civic education on law-related issues.
additional offices
In a statement, the bureau’s acting director Chimwemwe Chithope Mwale says the bureau remains focused on providing quality services to people across the country.
“It is the bureau’s firm position that with adequate resources, it has the potential to surpass its current milestones. The bureau’s journey to bring justice closer and closest to the grassroots continues,” Mwale says.
He says the bureau has made strides since its establishment by implementing a pro bono scheme and shifting to an electronic case management system from a paper-based case management system.
“We are proud to state that this shift has greatly improved the efficiency of the provision of legal aid services in Malawi,” he said.
Currently, the bureau is working in four regional offices and 18 district offices with plans to expand its reach.
“Plans are underway to open additional offices in the remaining districts during the coming financial year. Notably the bureau has already secured offices in Nkhata Bay. This expansion drive aims at ensuring that the indigent and vulnerable persons access justice with less effort, cost and time,” he says.
Mwale says over the years, the bureau has provided legal aid services to many Malawians and that it is handling over 27,000 cases across the country.
“The bureau has intensified its service provision to Malawians through awareness campaigns and prison visits, which have offered the citizenry a platform for seeking legal aid with ease,” he said.
Recently, the bureau asked members of Parliament (MPs) under the Legal Affairs and Government Assurance Cluster to advocate for additional funding of up to K2.8 billion to translate to K5 billion for the 2025-26 financial year.
The cluster’s co-chairperson Noel Lipipa said the MPs would support the bureau’s request.
“You know, many Malawians cannot afford private practice lawyers. As such, we need to ensure that we are assisting them [Malawians and the Legal Aid Bureau],” Lipipa said.
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