BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa – The Liberian National Bar Association is promoting a newly established legal aid clinic in Buchanan.

The Legal Aid Clinic is being implemented by the LNBA in partnership with a USAID project aimed at providing pro-bono legal services to those who cannot afford it.

Joyce R. Woods, the chairperson of the LNBA’s Legal Aid Committee, said the organization wants to “promote the concept of access to justice as well as informing indigent citizens about the services provided.”

“This clinic is here to provide indigent citizens of Bassa the opportunity – it is intended to help you settle some level of dispute with your neighbors. We will handle some minor criminal cases as well as property issues and so on,” Woods added.

She said lawyers at the legal aid clinic will help to amicably resolve problems between neighbors, families, and friends in order to promote a more peaceful society.

Another function of the clinic, she said, would be to explain the laws to ordinary people to ensure that they know and understand their rights.

LNBA’s legal aid clinic in Grand Bassa is part of a pilot project in five counties including Margibi, Bomi, Montserrado, and Bong. The organization plans to extend to other counties based on support received and the usage of the existing facilities by the citizens.

Last Friday, the LNBA also visited various schools across Buchanan to promote the legal aid clinic and to educate the students on legal issues.

There are now two legal aid clinics in Buchanan. The first was established by the Association of Liberian Female Lawyer in February 2018.

Featured photo by Zeze Ballah