We commend the Eugene Dupuch Law School and its partners, the Attorney General’s Office, the Bahamas Bar Association, and the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions for partnering to deliver a Community-Based Legal Aid Project (CLAP), which will be launched at the end of this month.

For a long time, concerned Bahamians have advocated for greater access to legal aid so that our people can be properly advised and made aware of their rights. Within our communities, there is a great need for advice about common criminal and civil legal situations, children’s rights, women’s rights, and protections for victims of domestic abuse and violence. 

The Office of the Spouse is particularly supportive of the valuable advice that will be given to women who cannot afford legal fees but require advice for binding their abusers or filing for divorce. They can also benefit from increased awareness of their rights in common situations, such as interactions with the police.

We fully support the launch of the project pilot this month and look forward to the positive impact it will have on the lives of Bahamians who traditionally lack access to legal aid.

There is no justice without access. 

Thank you to the organizers of the Community-Based Legal Aid Project (CLAP) for providing such a valuable service for everyday Bahamian men and women. We encourage all members of the public who may be in need of legal advice to engage with this project and stay tuned as a date is confirmed for the first event.