Legal Advisory and Legal Representation Services for the Underprivileged
The Rwanda Bar Association has a unit responsible for providing legal aid and legal representation services to underprivileged citizens who have cases courts.
Currently, this service receives citizens with various legal issues as well as those who have cases before the courts, and we provides legal representation in some of those cases.
In addition to providing legal representation to the underprivileged, this service also offers legal advice, since the Bar Association follows a policy of resolving disputes amicably before resorting to court proceedings.
The Rwanda Bar Association was established in 1997. It started with 37 lawyers and has gradually expanded to now include more than 1,200 lawyers.
The Bar Association has various responsibilities, including improving the quality of services provided by lawyers in legal representation and defense of citizens, as well as safeguarding the independence and freedom of lawyers while practicing their profession.
The Association also has the responsibility to protect fundamental human rights and to provide legal advice and legal representation to underprivileged citizens.
It is in this context that the Bar Association established a service specifically dedicated to legal aid programs for underprivileged citizens with cases before the courts, as well as others who need legal advice but lack the means to pay for lawyers’ services.
Services provided to the underprivileged:
- Legal advice.
- Mediation between parties where possible.
- Legal representation/assistance in court cases.
Requirements to receive legal representation in a court case:
- A certificate of indigence issued by the competent authorities at the sector level.
- A written letter requesting legal assistance addressed to the President of the Bar Association, explaining the nature of the case and its current status.
- A photocopy of the summons (assignation) indicating the date of the hearing on the merits, if the applicant had already filed the case in court before seeking assistance from the Bar Association.
- A photocopy of the pleadings submitting the claim for the plaintiff or the statement of defense for the defendant (where applicable).
- Photocopies of any other supporting and evidence documents on which the applicant basing their case.
Important Notes:
- Applicants seeking legal assistance are encouraged to first visit Legal Aid Offices (MAJ) located in each District, or other organizations providing legal aid across the country, in order to receive basic legal advice before filing claims or applying for legal representation before the Bar Association.
- Anyone seeking assistance must first be received by RBA Legal Aid Service, where they meet with a lawyer and explain the nature of their case before a decision is made on whether legal representation will be granted or legal advice will be provided.
What the Bar Association expects from its partners:
- To provide basic legal advice to underprivileged persons and guide them appropriately.
- To submit to the Bar Association, in a timely manner, the case files of underprivileged persons who qualify for legal representation (at least four weeks before the court hearing date).
- To the Prosecution and the Courts: to provide lawyers representing underprivileged persons with free copies of case files and any other assistance they may need to carry out their work effectively.
Citizen reception hours
Every day from 09:00 to 17:00, the Bar Association receives citizens with legal issues.
Meetings with a lawyer take place every Friday from 09:00 to 12:00.
For a citizen to receive legal representation in a court case, it is necessary that they have submitted their case to the Bar Association at least four weeks before the court hearing date.
For more information, you can call the toll-free number 2425 or write to the Bar Association by email: legalaid@rwandabar.rw
Other Legal Aid Service Providers
Other Legal Aid Service Providers
Legal Advisory and Legal Representation Services for the Underprivileged
The Rwanda Bar Association has a unit responsible for providing legal aid and legal representation services to underprivileged citizens who have cases courts.
Currently, this service receives citizens with various legal issues as well as those who have cases before the courts, and we provides legal representation in some of those cases.
In addition to providing legal representation to the underprivileged, this service also offers legal advice, since the Bar Association follows a policy of resolving disputes amicably before resorting to court proceedings.
The Rwanda Bar Association was established in 1997. It started with 37 lawyers and has gradually expanded to now include more than 1,200 lawyers.
The Bar Association has various responsibilities, including improving the quality of services provided by lawyers in legal representation and defense of citizens, as well as safeguarding the independence and freedom of lawyers while practicing their profession.
The Association also has the responsibility to protect fundamental human rights and to provide legal advice and legal representation to underprivileged citizens.
It is in this context that the Bar Association established a service specifically dedicated to legal aid programs for underprivileged citizens with cases before the courts, as well as others who need legal advice but lack the means to pay for lawyers’ services.
Services provided to the underprivileged:
- Legal advice.
- Mediation between parties where possible.
- Legal representation/assistance in court cases.
Requirements to receive legal representation in a court case:
- A certificate of indigence issued by the competent authorities at the sector level.
- A written letter requesting legal assistance addressed to the President of the Bar Association, explaining the nature of the case and its current status.
- A photocopy of the summons (assignation) indicating the date of the hearing on the merits, if the applicant had already filed the case in court before seeking assistance from the Bar Association.
- A photocopy of the pleadings submitting the claim for the plaintiff or the statement of defense for the defendant (where applicable).
- Photocopies of any other supporting and evidence documents on which the applicant basing their case.
- Photocopy of National ID
Important Notes:
- Applicants seeking legal assistance are encouraged to first visit Legal Aid Offices (MAJ) located in each District, or other organizations providing legal aid across the country, in order to receive basic legal advice before filing claims or applying for legal representation before the Bar Association.
- Anyone seeking assistance must first be received by RBA Legal Aid Service, where they meet with a lawyer and explain the nature of their case before a decision is made on whether legal representation will be granted or legal advice will be provided.
What the Bar Association expects from its partners:
- To provide basic legal advice to underprivileged persons and guide them appropriately.
- To submit to the Bar Association, in a timely manner, the case files of underprivileged persons who qualify for legal representation (at least four weeks before the court hearing date).
- To the Prosecution and the Courts: to provide lawyers representing underprivileged persons with free copies of case files and any other assistance they may need to carry out their work effectively.
Citizen reception hours
Every day from 09:00 to 17:00, the Bar Association receives citizens with legal issues.
Meetings with a lawyer take place every Friday from 09:00 to 12:00.
For a citizen to receive legal representation in a court case, it is necessary that they have submitted their case to the Bar Association at least four weeks before the court hearing date.
For more information, you can call the toll-free number 2425 or write to the Bar Association by email: legalaid@rwandabar.rw