Justice for All programme calling on law firms to participate

The Cyprus Bar Association called on Wednesday for its members to register for the “Justice for All” scheme offering free legal advice to the financially stressed.

The association unveiled the initiative in April and expects it to be operational by September, with walk-in centres and a network of volunteer lawyers who wish to offer pro bono services within the scheme.

The scheme is addressed to both lawyers and law firms.

“The goal is for the companies to encourage and facilitate the lawyers whom they employ, because the time spent within the scheme is time that employers will pay. Therefore, firms wishing to participate must enable their partners and employees to do so,” Cyprus Justice for All Network co-founder Alexia Kountouri told Alpha television.

“A second database for law firms is currently being set up to serve toward this direction with those participating receiving a badge that can be used as part of their corporate social responsibility, a very common practice abroad, with many organisations requiring such credentials from firms with whom they consider cooperating with,” she added.

Regarding lawyers interested in joining, criteria include possession of an annual professional licence, professional experience of at least two years and a clean criminal record.

Regarding the beneficiaries to the programme, only those receiving the minimum guaranteed income will be eligible, as the aim is to help those who are not currently clients of a lawyer as they cannot pay the fee. The applicant’s status will be verified with help from the social welfare deputy ministry.

Areas of law covered by the Legal Aid Act will not be covered by the scheme.

The Cyprus Justice for All Network, controlled and supervised by the Cyprus Bar Association, is the responsible entity for the operation and management of the scheme.