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A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that has recently been signed between Malawi Legal Aid Bureau and Women Lawyers Association Malawi (WLA-Mw) is expected to enhance affordable legal representation for vulnerable women and children.
The agreement, signed by the Director of the Bureau and the president of WLA-Mw will provide collaboration between the two institutions for the provision and management of probono legal representation in cases where rights of women and children are at stake.
The Bureau’s Director, Trouble Kalua, notes that this will go a long way in ensuring that vulnerable women and children get the justice they deserve even in times when they have no money to hire a private lawyer.
“Poor women that seek help from WLA-Mw, or that get referred to WLA-Mw, get to have a probono lawyer assigned, now that the WLA members are assured of probono hours certification from us. The poor people will benefit a lot,” explained Kalua.
As the MoU will enhance access to justice for women and children, it will also help members of WLA-Mw satisfy requirements for the renewal of practicing licences. The members will be able to take on cases within the mandate of WLA and earn pro bono hours in return.
Over the course of the three-year agreement, cases will be handled on a pro bono basis without additional financial contributions from clients. After completion, the hours spent on each case will be calculated and reported to the Malawi Law Society to facilitate the annual renewal of the lawyer's practicing license.
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