Understanding the Right of Access to Legal Assistance in Malta: Access to a Lawyer, Legal Aid and Pro Bono

The Battenberg Suite, Osborne Hotel, Valletta – 13th January, 2017

aditus foundation, together with The Critical Institute, is organising a seminar which will bring together local and foreign experts, whose contributions will cast light on Maltese human rights obligations to provide free legal assistance for the protection of fundamental rights, the Maltese legal aid system, its shortcomings and possible developments and on the benefits of a strong pro bono culture.

Seminar Programme:

10h00   Opening remarks: Presentation of the programme and the experts

10h30   Access to legal aid as an essential precondition for the exercise of the right to a fair trial: the European roadmap  – Tzeni Varfi, Legal and Policy Officer, Fair Trials, Brussels

11h15   Q&A

11h30   Coffee break

12h00   The implementation of the right of access to a lawyer: European Court of Human Rights and national case-law Jodie Blackstock, Legal Director, Justice, London

12h45   Q&A

13h00   Lunch

14h30   The Maltese legal aid system: current legislation and possible reforms Ann Spiteri, Lawyer – LEAP (Legal Expert Advisory Panel) Expert, Malta

15h00   The pro bono legal assistance: a commitment to an effective and accessible legal aid system – Marieanne McKeown, Director of Global Pro Bono, PILnet, The Global Network for Public Interest Law

15h30   Reacting panel and discussion: the gaps in the Maltese Legal Aid system and pro bono assistance Ann Spiteri and Marieanne McKeown

16h00   Coffee break

16h30   Round up of the day’s discussion and closing remarks

17h00   End of the seminar

 

The seminar is free of charge and lunch will be provided to all participants. Places are limited, in order to book, please email: alessiacicatiello@aditus.org.mt and carlacamilleri@aditus.org.mt 

 

This project has been funded through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector on behalf of the Ministry for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties.

                  

 

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