To commemorate Constitution Day celebrated yearly on 18 June, the Judiciary hosted its annual Constitution Roundtable discussion, which aims to shed light on topics pertaining to law and current events. For its second edition which took place last month, a panel of legal professionals discussed: “the right to legal representation”.
The focus of this debate was not only to shed light on the various rights to legal representation for citizens, but also to propose solutions to certain difficulties regarding lawyers not taking legal aid cases, not offering quality service for the high prices they often charge, and lawyers recently being charged with criminal offences and how this affects their license.
The full report can be read by clicking here, and it details the main points raised in the discussion as well as proposed solutions. The Judiciary encourages all stakeholders to take ownership of these subject matters in order to implement the required changes.
The Constitution Roundtable discussion was first initiated in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. In June 2021, the Roundtable discussion was on “access to a fair hearing during the pandemic” and centered on the ways that public health regulations which inhibit free movement could impede on a person’s right to access court. It also raised concerns about the high prices of internet putting some at a disadvantage when accessing online links for court summons / hearings as an alternative during the pandemic.
