The Legal Aid Act 2012 in Force from November 5

11 years, 5 months ago - November 03, 2012

The Legal Aid and Legal Assistance Act 2012 which came into force Monday, November 5 will allow much more people to have access to justice.

The Attorney General Yatin Varma hosted a briefing Thursday on the entry into force of the Legal Aid Amendment Act. This bill, which was passed in the National Assembly on June 26, just amend the Legal Aid Act 1974. This reform is part of the government program 2012-2015, said Yatin Varma.

This is a first in Mauritius. This law deals with the introduction of the concept of legal assistance to a prisoner during the police investigation.

Simplifies methods for requesting legal assistance and procedures for release. These are the characteristics of this law.

Anyone who provides false information in order to receive legal assistance commits an offense and is liable to a fine as well as imprisonment.

A prisoner accused or suspected of have committed a serious offense such as murder, assault, rape, among others, should be informed by a police officer in charge that it has the right to make a request for legal assistance in the investigation or to his release parole.

Accused must apply in good and due form, stating that his salary does not exceed Rs 10,000 and its assets are not worth more than Rs 500,000. Within 24 hours, the accused must be brought before a magistrate.

Following this request, the magistrate is to decide to grant legal assistance whether or initiate an investigation before agreeing to it provide legal assistance.

Allocation for legal assistance has increased from Rs 2.5 million to Rs 10 million as stated in the 2011-2012 Budget.

Text by Le Matinal

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