Time to re-examine legal aid

The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Council, Hugh Faulkner says the time has come to review the Legal Aid Act tariff of fees which is silent on Privy Council representation for citizens.

Jamaica is among a number of Caribbean countries criticised by the United Kingdom (UK) based court for failing to provide legal aid to prisoners who lost their murder appeal in the Jamaican Court of Appeal.

Today Faulkner suggested that until the system is changed, attorneys who want to take their matter to the Privy Council should apply to Legal Aid for assistance on behalf of their clients.

He says the Independent Jamaican Council for Human Rights has been assisting citizens with their Privy Council appeals but he says Legal Aid needs to expand its services.

editorial@gleanerjm.com