ADVOKS GLOBAL · KENYA
Legal Aid Act
7. Functions of the Service
Edition: 2022-12-31 · In force
7. Functions of the Service
(1)The functions of the Service shall be to—(a)establish and administer a national legal aid scheme that is affordable, accessible, sustainable, credible and accountable;(b)advise the Cabinet Secretary on matters relating to legal aid in Kenya;(c)encourage and facilitate the settlement of disputes through alternative dispute resolution;(d)undertake and promote research in the field of legal aid, and access to justice with special reference to the need for legal aid services among indigent persons and marginalized groups;(e)take necessary steps to promote public interest litigation with regard to consumer protection, environmental protection and any other matter of special concern to the marginalized groups;(f)provide grants in aid for specific schemes to various voluntary social service institutions, for the implementation of legal aid services under this Act;(g)develop and issue guidelines and standards for the establishment of legal aid schemes by Non-Governmental Agencies;(h)in consultation with the Council of Legal Education, develop programs for legal aid education and the training and certification of paralegals;(i)promote, and supervise the establishment and working of legal aid services in universities, colleges and other institutions;(j)promote the use of alternative dispute resolution methods;(k)take appropriate measures to promote legal literacy and legal awareness among the public and in particular, educate vulnerable sections of the society on their rights and duties under the Constitution and other laws;(l)facilitate the representation of persons granted legal aid under this Act;(m)assign legal aid providers to persons granted legal aid under this Act;(n)establish, coordinate, monitor and evaluate justice advisory centers;(o)coordinate, monitor and evaluate paralegals and other legal service providers and give general directions for the proper implementation of legal aid programs;(p)administer and manage the Legal Aid Fund; and(q)perform such other functions as may be assigned to it under this Act or any other written law.(2)The Service shall issue guidelines specifying matters or classes of matters relating to the provision of legal aid.