LEGAL AID ACT, 2011

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LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA 

LEGAL AID ACT, 2011

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

This Act repeals the Legal Aid Act Cap. L9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, enact the Legal Aid Act, 2011 in line with international standards, provide for the establishment of legal aid and access to justice fund into which financial assistance would be made available to the Council on behalf of the indigent citizens to prosecute their claims in accordance with the Constitution and further to empower the existing Legal Aid Council to be responsible for the operation of a scheme for the grant of legal aid and access to justice in certain matters or proceedings to persons with inadequate resources in accordance with the provision of this Act.

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART 1 – ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LEGAL AID COUNCIL

1. Establishment of Legal Aid Council.
2. Qualification and Membership of the Governing Board, etc.
3. Functions of the Governing Board.
4. Appointment of Director-General of the Council.
5. Service to the Commission to be pensionable.
6. State offices of the Council.
7. Power of the President to give directives to the Council.

PART II – LEGAL AID ADVICE

8. Scope of legal aid and access to justice

PART III – FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF LEGAL AID

9. General Fund and legal aid and access to justice Fund.
10. Persons entitled to legal aid.
11. Ascertainment of means.
12. Power to Accept gifts.
13. Audit

PART IV – LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

14. Legal practitioners.
15. Demand for or receipt of certain payments prohibited.
16. Lawyers serving in Youth Corps to give free Legal Aid.
17. Non-Governmental Organisations, Law Clinics and Paralegal.
18. Pro bono Cases and enjoyment of privileges.
19. Prison monitoring and review of cases of awaiting trial inmates.

PART V – MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTARY

20. How information disclosed are to be treated
21. Penalty for false information
22. Annual reports.
23. Regulations.
24. Interpretation.
25. Citation.

Schedules.

LEGAL AID ACT, 2011

An Act to repeal the Legal aid Act Cap. L9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 in line with interpretational standards and to provide for the establishment of legal aid and access to justice fund into which financial assistance would be made available to the Council on behalf of the indigent citizens to prosecute their claims in accordance with the Constitution and further to empower the existing Legal Aid council to be responsible for the operation of a scheme for the grant of legal aid and access to justice in certain matters or proceedings to persons with inadequate resources in accordance with the provision of this act; and for related matters.

[ ] Commencement

ENACTED by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria –

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