Thrice as many people accused of crimes were given pro bono legal help last year than in the previous year, after a scheme to provide such aid was enhanced last May. In his address at the Opening of the Legal Year yesterday, Law Society president Thio Shen Yi said lawyers from the scheme helped 1,300 poor people accused of crimes last year.
Called the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (Clas), it is run by the law society's Pro Bono Services Office and provides help to those unable to afford a lawyer. Last year, the Government pledged up to $3.5 million a year to fund the scheme. Before the scheme was enhanced, there were some 265 lawyers handling around 400 pro bono cases a year. The scheme is expected to help up to 6,00 people a year.
Thoughts:
- Government providing some help to enable pro bono legal services for the poor who needs it. I think many people will think that legal costs are high, and thus do not get lawyers to represent them/ provide advice when they are innocent. This will be helpful, and I think it would be good if lawyers can provide such services without the Government's intervention one day...
Thoughts anyone?
Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big
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