A CHARITY to boost access to justice in Kenya is being spearheaded by Liverpool lawyers.
The city’s law society is setting up the charity as part of its pledge to help develop the legal profession in Kenya.
Liverpool Law Society formally twinned with Mombassa’s legal fraternity in 2008.
Now it is in the final stages of registering the Liverpool Mombassa Access to Justice Project with the Charity Commission.
Its mission statement says it will promote the legal education of lawyers and the public in Kenya, help provide representation for minors in court, and give assistance and legal advice to those who would otherwise not be able to afford it, particularly women and children.
Developing closer ties with Mombassa was the brainchild of Jackson & Canter managing partner Andrew Holroyd, when he was president of the national Law Society, and former Liverpool Law Society President Anne Heseltine.
Mrs Heseltine, who is a commercial litigation partner at Morecrofts, told LDP Legal: “I think there’s a lot of similarities and synergies between Liverpool and Mombassa.
“We hope there will be a commercial liaison between the various firms – but we’re very aware of that fact that, while we complain about our legal system, it is founded on equality. When we went out there, it was obvious that access to justice is not available to everybody in Third World countries, and this is a way we can try to put something back.
“The plight of children is dire. You don’t get legal advice unless it’s a capital offence, which is a pretty serious robbery or murder.”
Mrs Heseltine said she hopes the charity will receive donations from the Law Society Charity, as well as from Merseyside firms and Liverpool Law Society events. This year’s 1940s-themed Summer Ball is being held in aid of both the Mombassa charity and Help for Heroes.
If enough money is raised, the charity could retain a lawyer in Mombassa to take on cases for children who need legal representation or assistance.
The society has finished drafting the charity’s articles of association, and is due to submit them to the Charity Commission in the coming weeks.
The idea of twinning with Kenyan law societies came after Mr Holroyd made a visit to Nairobi during his year as national President. Lawyers there asked for English societies to pair up with the Kenyan counterparts for advice and support.
