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.