To provide legal assistance to those who cannot afford a lawyer, the Bhutan National Legal Institute has established a legal aid centre at the Supreme Court. The centre established yesterday will provide legal advice, assistance, and representation in both civil and criminal cases, with funding support from the State.
According to a news release from the BNLI, only legal advice and assistance will be provided, with legal representation being granted only if the interest of justice is genuinely required in Civil Cases. However, in criminal cases, all three types of legal services will be available. For now, criminal legal aid services shall only be available to needy accused charged with offences that are a felony in nature.
Samten Dolkar