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Plans to expand legal aid inspiring, but could be challenging

I refer to the report “More lawyers needed to help needy accused” (Aug 29). The Government’s plans to directly fund legal aid to benefit 6,000 accused individuals annually is a move in the right direction and a heartening one.

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Teo Kueh Liang

I refer to the report “More lawyers needed to help needy accused” (Aug 29). The Government’s plans to directly fund legal aid to benefit 6,000 accused individuals annually is a move in the right direction and a heartening one.

It is inspiring to know that the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) will be expanded to include more needy accused people to provide them the necessary legal representation.

As pro bono work in the legal profession is voluntary, it needs to come from the heart.

With these plans to expand CLAS, it might be a challenge for the Law Society of Singapore and the Legal Aid Bureau to think of creative ways to promote pro bono work in the legal profession and actively encourage more lawyers, especially experienced veterans, to engage in it.

However, I hope to see more lawyers being actively engaged in pro bono work to increase access to justice.

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