One of Singapore's oldest free legal clinics will set up computer facilities at two community centres to bring its service to the backyard of residents. Its iCounsel kiosks will be found at Kaki Bukit Community Centre and Eunos Commuity Club, where residents of any race, and particularly the needy and frail, can speak to the lawyers via video-conferencing.
The move is a first by the clinic's organizer, Muslim voluntary welfare organisation Jamiyah, which is partnering with the People's Association (A) for the pilot project - Singapore's first online legal clinic for the community. The service will start on Feb 24.
Those seeking advice can first register online at Jamiyah's website and submit details of the case. They can also pick one of Jamiyah's volunteer lawyers and state whether they prefer, say, a Malay or Mandarin speaking lawyer, or on who knows syariah law to handle Muslim divorce and inheritance cases. A video conferencing session will then be fixed at the community centre of their choice.
The iCounsel clincs will run every second and fourth Tuesday of a month, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Should the pilot project prove popular, the PA plans to work with Jamiyah to expand the service to more community clubs across Singapore, said the senior director of PA's membership and community partnership division Jasmine Kwok.
Meanwhile, Jamiyah's 38 year old legal clinic will continue to hold its face to face sessions at its headquarters in Geylang Lorong 12 twice a week for people who prefer to see a lawyer in person The clinic, open to any member of the public, has drawn people of various races and faiths.
Thoughts:
- It is heartening to see voluntary welfare organisations trying their best to reach out to the needy (instead of waiting for them to come), and using technology to make things even easier for people to benefit.
- There are also a number of people who needs legal aid, and do not know where to seek them. This move, to open to people of all races and faiths, projects a positive light on a dominantly Malay/Muslim group to see itself as part of a larger community and extend its services to them.
Thoughts anyone?
Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big
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