At its twenty-first sitting, held on 16 January, the Poverty Reduction Committee discussed the preliminary draft of a Legal Aid Act. Representatives of the working group involved in the drafting took part in the discussion.

The preliminary draft Act foresees activities relating to provision of legal aid as a human right, as well as consequences arising from this right. Legal aid, as a professional form of assistance to legal aid users, would be provided by a number of entities and individuals – not only public authorities, but also by professional, scientific and educational institutions, trade unions, and non-governmental organisations. The state should provide legal aid, free of charge, as a means of enjoying fundamental human rights; legal aid should, however, also be provided by public authorities at a charge. The preliminary draft Act prohibits discriminating against legal aid users on any grounds, and obliges providers to offer their services in a professional, efficient, and independent manner, and with respect for the dignity of the user. It is foreseen that legal aid can only be provided by holders of a BA in law who have passed the bar examination.