Thousands of people in Sigatoka now have access to legal aid services as the new Legal Aid Commission was officially opened by the Prime Minister today.

This is the fifth Legal Aid Commission office in the country with full legal aid services available to people who cannot afford it.

While opening the new office, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said this will not stop here as new Legal Aid Commission offices will open in Savusavu and Navua soon.

Legal Aid Aervices will extend further to Nasinu, Tavua and Taveuni by July.

Bainimarama said justice can only be done when everyone is truly equal before the law, with equal access to the law.

He had earlier said that the government cannot allow a situation to exist in which some get real justice because they can get the best legal advice, while others face uncertain justice because they can’t afford the counsel they need.

Bainimarama said legal services are critical to making sure that we are all truly equal under the law.

This year is also the highest allocation for legal aid with a total budget allocation of $4.4 million.

Last year the allocation was $2 million while in 2012 just over $800,000 was allocated for legal aid services.

The Prime Minister said this is in line with the Constitution's requirement that the State provide legal aid to those unable to afford it.

 
Story by: Vijay Narayan