legal aid

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Legal aid is the provision of assistance to people who are 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. This article describes the development of legal aid and its principles, primarily as known in Europe, the Commonwealth of Nations and in the United States.
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 increase the likelihood, within court proceedings, of being assisted by legal professionals for free or at a lower cost, or of receiving financial aid.
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. More informal or general legal advice and assistance may also be provided for free or at low cost through such means as law centres (UK), community legal centres (Australia) or a variety of other organisations which provide various forms of legal aid in and outside of court.

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  1. J

    QLD Legal Aid

    I have a series of questions to ask. But I will be making these over several posts, to ensure I get a clear understanding of answers. Below is a Legal Aid Question.. but I feel I need to paint a small picture first.. A very long story - which I will keep short... My friend has a...
  2. Jenny453

    WA Legal aid funding transparency

    Where do community legal providers.. ie legal aid publish there financial reports? Also, in WA legal aid requires lawyers to pass there "test" before being able to recieve legal aid funding when acting for a client. I put two very qualified and reputable family lawyers whom had agreed to act on...
  3. F

    VIC No procedural fairness in Legal Aid grant cancellation

    I was approved for a grant of aid. It was cancelled before I spoke to my new lawyer at all. This cancellation happened without any prior warning so there was no fair hearing. The only reason given after it was cancelled was that I failed to follow reasonable advice from my lawyer. This seems...
  4. Chris A1AA

    VIC Is that legal to post a group chat history in my case?

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  5. C

    NSW Legal aid and discrimination

    I'm sorry if I'm saying any of this the wrong way. Legal Aid has a number of policies that are intended to put pressure on their clients to settle quickly in a family law matter; the financial test and required contributions are unreasonably high, there has to be mediation even in situations...
  6. D

    Legal Aid Queensland

    Hello, A Legal Aid Queensland employee sent me a letter in which this person make a defamatory claim about me and my mental state. This letter was seen by the Family Court of Australia and other officers of the court. The claim made by the Legal AId Queensland is false, not based on a reasonable...
  7. D

    VIC Intervention order contested hearing

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  8. S

    QLD Parental Alienation from ex Mother-in-law

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    • StressedMama
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  9. Loumlcat

    Legal Aid continue if I get a job

    Hi I'm on Newstart and have been approved for legal aid for criminal charges, the hearing is February. If I go off Newstart and get a job will my legal aid be cancelled?
  10. V

    QLD Waiting on Legal Aid and cant afford mediation without it

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