The Public Defenders’ Division of the Legal Aid Commission has cautioned the public against giving “fuel money” to lawyers as it is not a requirement for the free legal services they offer.

According to an Assistant Legal Aid Officer with the Commission, Rita Kunkuti Ali, all services provided by the organisation are free, and no lawyer is allowed to accept any form of payment from clients.

“The services of the commission are entirely free. Everything is free. And no lawyer is entitled to take transportation or anything from any of our clients or accused person,” she stated during a discussion on JoyNews’ The Law on Sunday, May 7th 2023.

Kunkuti Ali, an Assistant Legal Aid Officer

Madam Ali acknowledged that the Commission faces financial challenges, which can make it difficult for lawyers to attend court in some cases.

However, she emphasized that lawyers should not feel entitled to request “fuel money” or any other payments from their clients or accused persons.

Assistant Legal Aid Officer Jeffery Addey Adamson also appeared on the show and acknowledged the logistical challenges that attorneys face, particularly with regards to acquiring a vehicle to drive to court.

He advised lawyers who are unable to represent their clients in court to request an adjournment in writing from the court and explain why they would be unable to attend in person.

The Legal Aid Commission provides free legal services, and lawyers should not request any payments or transportation from clients. The public is advised to be aware of this and report any such incidents to the appropriate authorities.

Madam Ali, however, also pointed out that due to financial challenges of the Commission, a lawyer may actually find it difficult to attend court even in certain cases.

She stated in such an instance, she did not consider it to be an imposition if the lawyer asked a client they were representing for assistance.

“If a lawyer is representing you in a criminal matter where your liberty is at stake, and court day is tomorrow, and he doesn’t have fuel in his car or he’s not even driving. He doesn’t have a car, and he says that can you?

“He’s not entitled, but he can ask, can you? And then you have, I don’t think that will be too much to ask. But you (the lawyer) are not entitled to, you are not supposed to. It’s not in our books,” Madam Ali explained to the host of the show.

A co-panelist on the programme, Assistant Legal Aid officer Jeffery Addey Adamson, acknowledged that acquiring a vehicle to drive to court is one of the main logistical challenges faced by attorneys.

He suggested that the attorney request an adjournment in writing from the court and explain why they would be unable to be present in person.