The 15th meeting of the National Co-ordination Body for the implementation of the Law on Free Legal Aid (NCB), gathered in Skopje to discuss the most important challenges regarding the functioning of the free legal aid system in North Macedonia.
Supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe’s joint programme, “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye,” and in close co-operation with the Ministry of Justice, the event gathered around 40 participants in person and around 20 participants online. They represent the key institutions (and members of this body) in the field of free legal aid including the Ministry of Justice and its Regional Offices (ROs), Bar Association, lawyers, civil society organisations (CSOs) and legal clinics authorised for providing free legal aid. The event was also attended by judges from the Skopje Basic Civil Court and the Administrative Court.
In his opening speech the Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr Alen Dereban, emphasised the importance of access to justice for everyone, through providing free legal aid for those who cannot afford it. Vulnerable citizens who cannot afford their legal costs, including lawyer fees and court fees, will be supported by the state. “Our obligation is to provide all citizens with appropriate, independent, and impartial judicial mechanisms. This will allow citizens in difficult financial situations to receive legal aid from a lawyer and have a fair trial. In this way, we demonstrate that we care for vulnerable categories of citizens” mentioned Mr. Dereban.
Discussions focused on several pressing issues, including the challenges faced by the FLA Department and the Ministry’s Regional Offices in implementing the Law on Free Legal Aid (LFLA). Participants expressed concern over severe understaffing in the FLA Department, where a single employee is currently managing numerous tasks, potentially jeopardizing the department’s effectiveness.
The national consultant presented the recently adopted technical amendments to align the Law on FLA with the Law on Expertise. Additionally, participants emphasised the need to begin a broad, transparent, and inclusive process for further amending the Law (second phase), in line with previous NCB conclusions.
A special panel was dedicated to legal aid for victims of crime and human trafficking organised in co-operation with the EU and Council of Europe action: “Strengthening anti – trafficking action in North Macedonia”. Two members of the newly established Commission for Compensation of Victims of Crimes shared insights into the Commission’s work, and the role of legal aid providers in supporting the compensation system for victims was discussed in detail.
The action “Towards a consolidated and more efficient Free Legal Aid (FLA) system in North Macedonia” is part of the “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, a joint European Union and Council of Europe programme implemented by the Council of Europe. The action will keep supporting the National Co-ordination Body on free legal aid in order to achieve better co-ordination and communication among the main actors in the free legal aid system in future.
The above content is sourced from the original post, available at this link.
