Five more Legal Aid Commission offices are expected to open by next year.
This was highlighted by the Solicitor‑General and the Chairperson for Legal Aid Commission Sharvada Sharma at the Rights of the Child and the Criminal Justice System reception in Suva.
Sharma says that this is part of the government’s commitment to ease access to justice to all Fijians including in particular children.
He adds that in the last few years Fiji has implemented various legislative protections to protect the children in the legislative system.
The Solicitor General also revealed that they have in place a free legal assistance system provided by the Legal Aid Commission whereby juveniles are exempted from the application process and are automatically eligible for legal assistance and representation.
Meanwhile, 16 Legal Aid Commission offices are currently in operation throughout the country.
