Law society hands out free legal advice
Oshakati residents were given free legal advice in the town last week in an initiative spearheaded by the Law Society of Namibia in partnership with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Master of the High Court.
The event was held at the Oshakati Town Council civic centre on Thursday.
Pius Iikwambi, a member of the law society, said the initiative forms part of its objectives to make legal services more accessible to the public, especially considering the costs involved in accessing legal advice.
The initiative is a social responsibility drive instituted by the law society, with different stakeholders brought on board to support the cause.
On the table
The service providers included, but were not limited to, labour inspectors and officials from the labour ministry, a representative from the Master of the High Court, as well as professionals from the law fraternity to give legal advice pro bono.
The one-on-one pro bono consultations addressed wills and estates, labour, maladministration, domestic violence and maintenance, divorce, as well as other legal matters.
Educate citizens
Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango applauded the law society for what he termed "a great initiative."
Hango said it is important to educate citizens on the law because there are those who commit crimes without being aware they are criminal acts.
He also suggested that radio stations host a programme that educates the public about the different articles of the constitution in local languages.
Iikwambi said the law society has a legal education committee and will be open to partnering in hosting the said show when an opportunity arises.
So far, the free legal day has been hosted at Walvis Bay, Mariental, Keetmanshoop and now Oshakati.
Up next are Otjiwarongo, Rundu, and Gobabis, and subsequently Windhoek. The dates have yet to be announced.
The event was held at the Oshakati Town Council civic centre on Thursday.
Pius Iikwambi, a member of the law society, said the initiative forms part of its objectives to make legal services more accessible to the public, especially considering the costs involved in accessing legal advice.
The initiative is a social responsibility drive instituted by the law society, with different stakeholders brought on board to support the cause.
On the table
The service providers included, but were not limited to, labour inspectors and officials from the labour ministry, a representative from the Master of the High Court, as well as professionals from the law fraternity to give legal advice pro bono.
The one-on-one pro bono consultations addressed wills and estates, labour, maladministration, domestic violence and maintenance, divorce, as well as other legal matters.
Educate citizens
Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango applauded the law society for what he termed "a great initiative."
Hango said it is important to educate citizens on the law because there are those who commit crimes without being aware they are criminal acts.
He also suggested that radio stations host a programme that educates the public about the different articles of the constitution in local languages.
Iikwambi said the law society has a legal education committee and will be open to partnering in hosting the said show when an opportunity arises.
So far, the free legal day has been hosted at Walvis Bay, Mariental, Keetmanshoop and now Oshakati.
Up next are Otjiwarongo, Rundu, and Gobabis, and subsequently Windhoek. The dates have yet to be announced.
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