Legal Aid Workshops
In our rural area, a very few people are aware of their legal rights. Keeping this issue in mind, MES has worked towards providing the needed information through our Legal Aid Workshop and Family Counseling Center. Legal aid is the provision of assistance to people otherwise unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Legal aid is regarded as central in providing access to justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel and the right to a fair trial.
A number of delivery models for legal aid have emerged, including duty lawyers, community legal clinics and the payment of lawyers to deal with cases for individuals who are entitled to legal aid. MES has resorted to the use of camps to dispense legal aid to needy members of the village population. Due to the lack of knowledge, rural people face various hurdles in getting justice. They face difficulties in routine matters like certifications, minor cases, etc.
Legal aid is essential to guaranteeing equal access to justice for all, as provided for by Article 6.3 of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding criminal law cases. Especially for citizens who do not have sufficient financial means, the provision of legal aid to clients by governments will increase the likelihood, within court proceedings, of being assisted by legal professionals for free (or at a lower cost) or of receiving financial aid.