LEGAL AID COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLAN

2018-2022

“Promoting Greater Access to Justice for all Fijians”

The 2018-2022 Strategic Plan was formulated incorporating an ‘international best practice approach’ to the delivery of legal aid services, by following the 2012 United Nations General Assembly endorsed, Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems which provides that Legal Aid is a foundational right for access to justice and should be accessible, sustainable, affordable, credible, and accountable.

Message From The Chairman

This year marks the Legal Aid Commission’s 19th year of existence and service to the people of Fiji.

The Commission is a client-focused service delivery organisation which plays a fundamental role in the administration of justice. Our work is quite unique and we provide a range of legal services to those who would otherwise go unassisted. It ensures that litigants and accused persons receive a fair trial by providing equal access to justice to the poor and most vulnerable of our society in the delivery of free legal services. We firmly believe that ‘no one should be left behind’.

This plan comprises the Commission’s strategies and objectives, its purpose, and how it will be achieved over the next five years. It has been formulated to ensure that the delivery of legal aid services is quality based, efficient, and professional.

We value the contribution our employees have made in the development and growth of this organisation and as such it is imperative that we invest heavily in our employees through various capacity building initiatives. Legal Aid is the largest law firm in Fiji and we are constantly looking at ways and means to attract, retain, and develop a high performing workforce as we move towards making the Commission the choice of employment for many.

The financial backing and support of the Government has enabled Legal Aid to expand its services by opening additional offices in all major cities and towns, including rural and remote areas as well as in maritime areas. In line with Government’s policy of ensuring access to justice and quality services to the public, the Commission is confident that this five-year plan will achieve its goals and objectives and complement the policies of the Government.

We are committed towards maintaining and developing a partnership with our stakeholders to ensure that our service delivery continues and that we fully deliver and achieve our goals and objectives.

I am extremely grateful to the efforts put into this strategic plan by the Commissioners, the staff of the Commission, consultant Professor David McQuoid-Mason from South Africa, the REACH Project under which this strategic plan was formulated including the Government of Japan, the UNDP, and those who were part of the team which formulated this Plan. I also extend my appreciation to the Board members and, in particular, the Chief Registrar Mr. Yohan Liyanage for his contribution and support.

I am proud to be associated with such a noble organisation and commend the work of its staff in ensuring that we continue to promote greater access to justice for all Fijians enshrined in the Constitution.

Message From The Acting Director

The Legal Aid Commission is founded on principles of equality and access to justice by those who are unable to afford the services of a private legal practitioner. In the administration of justice, it is imperative that every Fijian regardless of their socio-economic background is able to access free legal services through a State funded Legal Aid scheme.

This 5 year Strategic Plan takes into consideration the needs of our changing society and the increasing demand for the provision of legal services in areas of law which the Commission did not provide such assistance previously. It also sets out the Commission’s vision of expanding its services to rural, remote and maritime areas of Fiji which currently do not have access to legal services. This Plan is also in line with the Government’s policy of taking essential services to the most rural and remote areas of Fiji. In doing so, we have also looked at international best practices but at the same time applied those practices to suit the needs of our people keeping in line with domestic legislative provisions.

The strategic goals and activities under this Plan will take the Commission into the next era with plans to digitise our operations and more importantly, our process and procedures to bring about more efficiency in legal service delivery.

As we work towards making the Legal Aid Commission an “employer of choice”, I thank the Chairman and the Board for their support and contribution towards the formulation of this Plan and look forward to its implementation. We will continue to deliver quality, professional, and efficient legal services to Fijians in our pursuit to providing greater access to justice for all Fijians.