Malawi Legal Aid Bureau Mandate

Established under Section 3 of the Legal Aid Act, 2011, the Legal Aid Bureau has a primary statutory mandate to provide legal aid services to the indigent and vulnerable people in need of legal services. The Bureau has been given powers under Section 5 of the Legal Aid Act to do all such things that as it considers necessary or desirable to secure the provision of legal aid in Malawi.

Our Mission

The Legal Aid Bureau strives to be a lead actor in providing accessible, ethical, and high quality legal aid services to vulnerable people in Malawi; and to provide civic education and information about the law to the public.

Our Objectives

The Legal Aid Bureau’s core objectives are;

• To provide legal aid, legal advice, legal assistance, including representation in any court, tribunal or similar body to the indigent in Malawi.
• To provide civic education and information about the law to the public.

Role of Legal Aid

Legal Aid Bureau plays an important role to ensure that poor people have access to justice and legal remedies as provided for under section 41 of the Constitution. Legal Aid Bureau provides legal aid services to persons of insufficient means to hire private lawyers. Priority for legal aid is given to vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly and the sick.