Legal Aid Director Shahin Ali during a conference on Access to Justice in Nadi

More than 3,000 cases have been attended to by the Legal Aid lawyers under the First Hour Procedure since last year.

While presenting during a conference on Access to Justice in Nadi today, Legal Aid Director Shahin Ali says the project has been successful ever since its implementation in 2016.

“The lawyer must be present within 1 hour the call being made and I can proudly say and the Police can confirm that the Legal Aid has not defaulted we have appeared for every call that has been made to use.”

Ali says that it was also important for Legal Aid to work with the Police and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that those being questioned are provided with this service.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Itendra Nair also says that the First Hour Procedure has seen a huge reduction in complaints against the Police.

The First Hour Procedure is an initiative of the Government and was implemented in 2016.