Minister of Justice, Mulambo Haimbe has commended the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) for launching the pro bono policy framework which achieves the notion of providing access to criminal and civil justice for the disadvantaged in society without cost.
Mr. Haimbe stressed the need for legal representation as a fundamental right for every Zambian as enshrined in the constitution.
The Minister said the framework, therefore, responds to a duty of the legal sector to ensure that the rights of the accused persons are upheld in the criminal justice for the public good.
Speaking during the launch in Lusaka, Mr Haimbe was happy that LAZ has made sure the pro bono services become a reality.
He was pleased that the pro bono policy framework contains quality control measures which require the lawyers to treat matters with the same importance and care as the private matters.
“This is a great milestone for the people of Zambia especially the indigenous who grapple for legal representation in the courts of law,” Mr Haimbe noted.
Mr Haimba assured of his ministry’s support towards the implementation of the pro bono policy framework for the benefit of vulnerable Zambians, as it is a vision of the government to uphold human rights and the rule of law.
The Minister noted that government places great importance on the rule of law, civil liberties and human rights and inter alia, ensuring that speeding up of the dispensing of Justice and widening access to justice for all.
LAZ president, Abyudi Shonga disclosed the association resolved to actualise the pro bono framework following the need to improve access to justice and ensure that its members fulfil their oath of doing justice.
Mr Shonga explained that even when there are efforts by legal bodies such as the National Legal Aid Clinic For Women and the Legal Aid Board providing pro bono services, a large section of Zambian society still cannot access justice due to lack of representation.
“While the number of advocated has to creased over the last decade, there has not been a corresponding increase in access to justice by the vulnerable and marginalized members of society,” Mr. Shonga indicated.
He said LAZ understands the role that its members must play in society and will continue to endeavour that it remains relevant and contributes to the development of society at various levels.
Meanwhile, Legal Aid Board acting Executive Director, Humphrey Mweemba says the framework resonates well with its mandate of providing legal services to persons of inadequate means in society.
Mr. Mweemba said taking matters on pro Bono basis is beneficial to both the Legal Aid Board and legal practitioners as it will help clear the backlog of cases.
He explained that an action that will promote access to justice for all as litigations will feel that justice has been accorded to them in good time.
Mr. Mweemba added that matters on pro Bono basis will further help develop professional skills among practitioners as well as enhance the firms’ reputation which in turn may open new doors for business.
“Offering your services for free has innumerable benefits for your clients and professional development alike,” Mr. Mweemba stated.
The mp who is out of touch with reality. No one can relate to him on the ground.
TALKING OF REALITY
ISN’T IT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD TELL TO PF PARTY G00NS
TO STEP ASIDE
I always thought this was there. Mwenya Mukupa and Lisimba (lawyer wama lawyers) never charged me for the services they rendered to me.
They are good lawyers.
There is no information on how this proposal will work.
We have legal aid which provides counsel for free.
Where will this pro bono framework fit in? Where do the lawyers come from? How do the disadvantage access it?
This copy and paste reporting needs to stop.
Law enforcement and our justice system are under siege. The UPND has introduced new ubupuba whereby they want to render the question of jurisdiction irrelevant. If utter something they don’t like they will just instruct their cadres in some remote part to report ZP then they’ll drive you in the night to that place. They’ve lost their minds too early, are they going to manage a 5yr term?
Pro-bono services with Zambian lawyers is unworkable. The character of some Zambian lawyers is appalling to say the list. There are numerous instances where initially Zambian lawyers will claim is a pro-bono service they are rendering. After the judgement has been made by courts of law, demand to pay for services is made and end up in courts of law asking court to determine the costs incurred in the cases they lawyer represented. All arrangements of pro-bono services are disregarded done with. Zambian lawyers can be vicious to the extend of grabbing properties and assets from the person they represented on pro-bono basis. Evidence exists and trust of some Zambian lawyers is non exist, worse selfish crooks.
KK believed he was receiving pro-bono representation until he received a $1 million invoice, which he could not pay.
It always been there