Increased access to legal aid in Nepal

Research conducted by the Centre for Legal Research and Resource Development (CeLRRd) and the Institute in the late 1990s showed that, then, nearly 60% of detainees in Nepal received no legal aid and lacked the knowledge of legal proceedings to appeal their cases.

In order to address the lack of legal aid and improve Nepal’s criminal justice system the Institute and CeLRRd initiated a series of activities as part of the ‘National Prisoners Legal Aid Project’, which lasted nine years.

Among other things we supported the establishment of five national legal aid centres that provide legal aid to thousands of Nepalese citizens. In 2005 the centres represented over 6,500 cases.

Improved expertise on international fair trial standards

Through continuous training of legal aid lawyers, we contributed to improving their expertise on national law and international fair trial standards.
Through dialogue and the production and distribution of pamphlets and flyers, we have helped increase awareness of human rights and fair trials among prisoners and law enforcement officials.

The project has also improved the government’s understanding of legal aid. The government passed a legal aid act in 1997, and the legacy of the project is being kept alive as one of the centres is still in operation, run by the Kathmandu School of Law, and is providing legal aid and training.
An external evaluation of the whole project reported positive changes in behaviour among law enforcers, judges and lawyers, which it attributes to their increased awareness of prisoners’ rights and fair trials. For example, detainees were asked if they needed legal representation far more frequently than before.

Partners

• The Centre for Legal Research and Resource Development (CeLRRd)
• Danida/HUGOU
• Kathmandu School of Law (KSL)