Legal Aid Organizations in Sri Lanka

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka (LAC)?

To deliver legal aid services

What is the main objective of the Legal Aid Act (No.27 of 1978)?

To provide legal aid to deserving persons

What is the income limit for litigation services provided by the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka?

Rs. 25,000/= or less per month

What type of services are provided by the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka to deserving persons?

Legal advice, litigation, and legal aid Signup and view all the answers

Who governs the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka?

An independent Commission Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the legal aid clinics established by the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka?

To provide easy accessibility to legal aid services Signup and view all the answers

What is the vision of the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka?

To achieve Equal Access to Justice for all in Sri Lanka Signup and view all the answers

What is the scope of legal advice provided by the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka?

Free of charge, to any person in the country, irrespective of their income level Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of the Latin phrase 'pro bono publico'?

for the public good Signup and view all the answers

Which institution provides legal support to strengthen the civil society?

Pro bono Organizations Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of pro bono work?

to provide free legal services to those in need Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following institutions is not mentioned as providing legal aid in Sri Lanka?

None, all the mentioned institutions provide legal aid in Sri Lanka Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of pro bono organizations in terms of social change?

to combat injustice and entrench human rights Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe lawyers or civil society groups who provide free legal services to those in need?

pro bono Signup and view all the answers

What is the right of every person accused before any criminal court, according to Sri Lanka's Code of Criminal Procedure?

The right to be defended by a lawyer. Signup and view all the answers

What duty is imposed on a High Court Judge according to Section 195 of the Code of Criminal Procedure?

To assign a lawyer to an accused person when indicted. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of legal aid, as stated in the text?

To provide assistance to vulnerable people who are unable to afford legal representation and access the court system. Signup and view all the answers

Why is legal aid a fundamental aspect of the administration of justice?

Because it ensures equality before the law, the right to counsel, and the right to a fair trial. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the objectives of legal aid providers, according to the text?

Creating awareness of legal rights and remedies through structured and unstructured education and legal literacy programmes. Signup and view all the answers

When was legal aid established in Sri Lanka?

In 1978, with the passage of the Legal Aid Act (No.27 of 1978). Signup and view all the answers

What is one way that legal aid providers promote effective dispute resolution, according to the text?

Through community organisation, grassroots mediation, formal mediation, and other mechanisms outside the formal legal system. Signup and view all the answers

What is another objective of legal aid providers, according to the text?

Achieving broader legal reform through legal research and advocacy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka (LAC)

LAC is a statutory body primarily funded by the Ministry of Justice and Law Reforms and governed by an independent Commission.
The LAC is responsible for the delivery of legal aid services.
LAC is empowered to establish regional or district committees or clinics.

Objectives of Legal Aid Providers

Creating awareness of legal rights and remedies through structured and unstructured rights education and legal literacy programmes.
Extending legal services through community paralegals.
Promoting effective dispute resolution through community organisation, grassroots mediation, formal mediation, and other mechanisms outside the formal legal system.
Achieving broader legal reform through legal research and advocacy.
Promoting community development and economic empowerment.

Legal Aid Act (No.27 of 1978)

Mandates the operation of an effective legal aid scheme.
Provides legal advice, funds to conduct legal proceedings, and obtaining the services of Attorneys-at-Law to represent deserving persons.
Provides any other assistance necessary to provide legal aid to deserving persons.

Services Provided by the LAC

Legal advice to any person in the country, free of charge, irrespective of their income level.
Litigation limited to persons whose monthly income level is Rs. 25,000/= or less.
Legal appearances in Courts, conducts legal aid clinics for deserving persons, trains new lawyers, and conducts legal education programmes for judicial officers, the general public, and schools.

The Code of Criminal Procedure

Every person accused before any criminal Court has the right to be defended by a Lawyer.
Every aggrieved person has the right to be represented in Court by a Lawyer (Section 260).
The Code imposes a duty on a High Court Judge to assign a Lawyer to an accused person when indicted, which effectively gives the accused a right to legal aid (Section 195).

Pro Bono Work

The term "pro bono" comes from the Latin phrase "pro bono publico", which translates to "for the public good".
Lawyers or civil society groups provide free legal services to those in need, working for the benefit of society rather than for profit.
Pro bono organizations work towards social change by strengthening the civil society, representing marginalized people, and advocating for the rule of law and policy change.

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Description

This quiz covers various legal aid organizations in Sri Lanka, promoting legal literacy and awareness, and the concept of pro bono work. It includes institutions such as the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka and Lawyers for Human Rights and Development.