Court

Fijians are not aware of the first hour policy: Ali

January 30, 2019 10:50 am

Legal Aid Commission Acting Director, Shahin Ali

Many Fijians are not aware of the first hour policy that the Legal Aid Commission offers, however, it’s the best way for a suspect to be assisted when seeking legal advice.

Legal Aid Commission Acting Director, Shahin Ali says the Policy is that a person that’s been arrested is briefed on his or her rights by a Legal Aid lawyer at no cost within the first hour of arrest.

Ali says during this first hour, the arresting officer is required to call the Legal Aid Commission where a lawyer on-duty will attend to the matter.

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“If they are in trouble with the law, if they are being arrested or detained or if you know a friend or family member who has been arrested or detained you can certainly call the Legal Aid Commission and each police station should have a poster of legal aid commission which has the first hour procedure details and our number advertised on those posters.”

The procedure is stipulated under Section 13 of the Constitution.