Minister calls for institutionalising paralegal services
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Saturday called for institutionalising paralegal services through coordinated efforts by the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to bring legal assistance to marginalised and disadvantaged people.
He said reaching a consensus on guidelines and an action plan for paralegal services would provide clear direction for future initiatives and help ensure wider access to justice.
He made the remarks at an international conference titled “Paralegal Advisory Services (PAS) for Advancing People-Centred Justice” at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCICC).
“Paralegals can play a vital role in ensuring access to justice for ordinary people while easing pressure on courts and prisons, as already demonstrated in practice.
Institutionalising these services would make legal assistance more accessible to marginalised and disadvantaged people,” the minister said.
Expressing gratitude to the German government, the European Union and GIZ for supporting the initiative, Asaduzzaman said their continued cooperation would be crucial to making legal services more accessible and institutionalising paralegal services in Bangladesh.
The two-day conference discussed guidelines and an action plan to establish a future framework for paralegal services.
Key areas included formal recognition of paralegals, partnerships between the government and NGOs, skills development, service quality standards and sustainable financing.
The conference was jointly organised by the Law and Justice Division and the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid (DBLA).
Senior government officials, representatives from the judiciary and legal aid sector, civil society members and development partners attended.
Michal Krejza, head of cooperation at the European Union delegation to Bangladesh, and German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz, among others, addressed the conference.
Experts from Malawi, the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan also shared their countries’ experiences in integrating paralegal services into their justice systems.
