CONCEPTUALIZATION OF LEGAL AID UNDER RIGHT TO FAIR TRIAL IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Legal aid enables public funds to cover legal expenses in some situations where people in need of legal services are unable to pay. Theoretically, legal aid is not only a concern of the notion of access to justice and democratic governance, but also a concern of Human Rights due to recognition of the qualified right to legal assistance in descriptions of fair trial in international instruments. The State of Pakistan has recognised the right to fair trial at constitutional level and free legal aid and assistance at the statutory level. The most recent development in this context is the enactment of Legal Aid and Justice Authority Act, 2020. Through the use of qualitative research method, an effort has been made in this study to examine and identify the legal issues, problems, and complexities that are present in the current laws governing legal aid and assistance in Pakistan.