Public Legal Services Division Functions

Objective

To enhance provision of legal services and access to justice.

Functions

(i)To monitor and advise on the responsiveness, resilience and relevance of the national legal framework.

(ii)To formulate and develop policies and guidelines on various legal services and delivery of justice in general

(iii)To provide, co-ordinate and monitor provision of legal aid to the indigents

(iv)To handle Public Complaints from the Public and Institutions on delivery of justice

(v)To liaise with other Ministries on policy and legal issues

(vi)To coordinate and report on the implementation of the ICGLR Protocol on Prevention of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and All Forms of Discrimination

This Division will be led by a Director and will comprise two Sections as follows:-

(i)Legal Aid and Complaints Section;

(ii)Legal Services Section.

Legal Aid and Complaints Section

This Section will perform the following activities:-

(i)Coordinate and regulate the provision of legal aid;

(ii)Carry out research on provision of legal aid services;

(iii)Prepare framework, standards, guidelines and criteria for provision of legal aid to the needy and indigent and monitor and evaluate their implementation;

(iv)Scrutinize requests for legal aid and advise;

(v) Develop and operationalize a scheme for efficient and proper functioning of legal aid provision;

(vi)Educate the public on legal aid services.

(vii)Receive, scrutinize and assess complaints from individuals, groups and institutions on delivery of justice;

(viii)Carry out studies to Identify and assess areas of mischief in delivery of justice;

(ix)Design and implement mechanisms for reducing/eliminating complaints;

(x) Establish and maintain complaints data base

This Section will be led by an Assistant Director.

Legal Services Section

This Section will perform the following activities:-

(i) Provide legal services to the Ministry and the general public;

(ii) Conduct research on legal issues;

(iii) Scrutinize requests for extension of time in civil matters submitted to the Minister and advise;

(iv) Scrutinize and advise on the submitted legal issues and requests;

(v) Oversee negotiations of the legal sector development agreements;

(vi) Liaise with the Office of Attorney General in litigation of civil cases; other claims and contracts involving the Ministry;

(viii) Prepare and review various legal instruments such as orders, notices, certificates, agreements and transfer deeds.

(ix) Develop regulations and other instruments to facilitate the operationalization of legal sector institutions

(x) Coordinate and supervise legal services across the government system

This Section will be led by an Assistant Director.