Legal aid threshold expanded
News in short
The justice ministry says its budget of N$35 million for this financial year will allow it to expand the threshold for legal aid.
Before, only individuals who earned N$3 500 or less were able to apply for legal aid. Now, that number has been increased to N$7 000.
"This increased threshold will enable more needy litigants to access justice as more people will qualify for legal aid at the state's expense," acting spokesperson Edmund Khoaseb said.
Although there is currently no estimate of the number of Namibians who will now qualify for legal aid, the ministry expects a noticeable increase in the number of applications for legal aid. Because of this, it is currently in the process of appointing more lawyers to meet the demand, while attention is also being given to strengthening the legal aid directorate's civil division in order to tackle cases with a socioeconomic impact, he said.
Before, only individuals who earned N$3 500 or less were able to apply for legal aid. Now, that number has been increased to N$7 000.
"This increased threshold will enable more needy litigants to access justice as more people will qualify for legal aid at the state's expense," acting spokesperson Edmund Khoaseb said.
Although there is currently no estimate of the number of Namibians who will now qualify for legal aid, the ministry expects a noticeable increase in the number of applications for legal aid. Because of this, it is currently in the process of appointing more lawyers to meet the demand, while attention is also being given to strengthening the legal aid directorate's civil division in order to tackle cases with a socioeconomic impact, he said.
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