CWAD submitted a recommendation on कानूनी सहायता सम्बन्धी कानूनलाई संशोधन र एकीकरण गर्न बनेको विधेयक to the Joint Secretary of MoLJPA Hum Bdr K.C. on 25th March 2021. Law Ministry is in the process of preparing a bill for the Legal Aid Act. In doing so, the initial draft was prepared and sent to all 7 provinces for feedbacks and suggestions to make the act effective and practical. CWAD were aware of and got their hands on that initial draft prepared by MoLJPA. CWAD along with Working Group Members reviewed and prepared line-by-line suggestion documents for that initial Legal Aid Act Bill draft as per our Teen Mahale of Legal Aid Act prepared and submitted to the Honourable Law Minister Mr. Lilanath Shrestha on 31st December 2020.
Upon reviewing the Legal Aid Act bill, we found that around 40-50% of our suggestions were incorporated and addressed from the submitted Teen Mahale. However, the bill had addressed some other issues in a progressive manner which is commendable. In this regard, working group network members with the initiation of CWAD prepared a suggestion paper that would be helpful for the MoLJPA to address those missing provisions in the bill. A few important issues to be addressed are as follows:
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To incorporate the word Paralegal, as they work as a bridge between the service providers and the victim/survivors on legal aid service.
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To acknowledge the women’s participation to provide Legal Aid Service as well as their position in decision-making level. As the representation of women in the National Legal Aid Council as well as in the Executive Committee is very essential because a women’s perspective will help to address and be considered at the policy level.
Joint Secretary of MoLJPA Hum Bdr. Kc was very thankful for CWAD’s initiation as well as the collective effort from the working group Network Members for the suggestions. He gave his word to thoroughly study the presented documents and present them in front of the amendment committee members. Along with that, if needed he has in advance requested for our presence on the committee to present our perspective for certain proposed provisions if needed. With all the good hopes for incorporation of the proposed suggestion, with his permission adjourned the meeting.