PROJECT DESCRIPTION

ICON-INSTITUT was contracted by the European implement the project “Access to Justice for the Poor and Vulnerable Groups through Support of Legal and Civil Society Organisations and the Judiciary in Punjab, Pakistan “. The results included significant improvements in the legal aid system at both the provincial and district levels in Punjab. This involved increasing the availability and quality of legal advisory and representation services, as well as developing paralegals through community-based organizations (CBOs) and NGOs. Qualified lawyers were deployed to District Legal Empowerment Committees, supported by improvements in legal education. The project also assisted in better implementing and monitoring legal aid mechanisms.

Furthermore, the quality and efficiency of judicial processes improved through enhanced case management, continued legal education, and legal research. The project strengthened the judicial system's capacity, both provincially and in selected districts, and improved the legal education of judicial officers and court staff. The Lahore High Court's ability to analyze and report on judicial decisions was also enhanced, alongside support for independent prosecution departments. Finally, public legal and judicial information was improved to increase citizens' awareness of their legal rights and promote accountability in the justice system. This was achieved through the dissemination of information and reports on legal aid, case management, and judicial research, increasing public scrutiny and ensuring greater transparency in the justice sector.

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