OSCE Skopje mission supports free legal advice project "Lawyers in Municipalities"
OSCE's Skopje mission supports lawyers to give anonymous advice to any person, regardless of his/her ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, residence or social status. (OSCE) Photo details
SKOPJE, 12 October 2004 - The third phase of a free legal advice project entitled "Lawyers in Municipalities" began today in the towns of Lipkovo, Aracinovo, Bogovinje and Kamenjane.
Initiated and financed by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, the project will offer free legal advice to the local population, over the next two months.
"All consultations will be anonymous," said Michael Lackner, Senior Judicial Reform Officer at the OSCE Mission.
"Members of the Bar Association will meet individually any person requesting advice, regardless of his/her ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, residence or social status," he added.
The services will be provided under the responsibility of eight selected attorneys, and in full independence and compliance with the Code of Ethics, without any interference by the authorities.
Where legal or judicial follow-up are required, the attorneys will direct clients to a law office, the Ombudsperson or to non-governmental organizations working in specialized fields.
Since December 2003, during the first two project phases, over 340 individuals from the rural parts of Lipkovo and Kamenjane municipalities have used the services.
"We encourage all citizens who might need assistance to make use of this project, as others have before," Lackner added.
This third phase of the project will last until 15 December 2004, with two legal sessions per week in Lipkovo, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and one a week, on Thursdays, in Aracinovo and Bogovinje. The sessions in Kamenjane municipality will be held every Tuesday.
Legal sessions will be conducted from 15:30 till 17:30 in the municipal halls.
Initiated and financed by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, the project will offer free legal advice to the local population, over the next two months.
"All consultations will be anonymous," said Michael Lackner, Senior Judicial Reform Officer at the OSCE Mission.
"Members of the Bar Association will meet individually any person requesting advice, regardless of his/her ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, residence or social status," he added.
The services will be provided under the responsibility of eight selected attorneys, and in full independence and compliance with the Code of Ethics, without any interference by the authorities.
Where legal or judicial follow-up are required, the attorneys will direct clients to a law office, the Ombudsperson or to non-governmental organizations working in specialized fields.
Since December 2003, during the first two project phases, over 340 individuals from the rural parts of Lipkovo and Kamenjane municipalities have used the services.
"We encourage all citizens who might need assistance to make use of this project, as others have before," Lackner added.
This third phase of the project will last until 15 December 2004, with two legal sessions per week in Lipkovo, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and one a week, on Thursdays, in Aracinovo and Bogovinje. The sessions in Kamenjane municipality will be held every Tuesday.
Legal sessions will be conducted from 15:30 till 17:30 in the municipal halls.