The justice ministry is moving to quash claims that only new or unsuccessful lawyers are retained by the Government for the legal-aid system.

For years, concern has been expressed that persons who have to depend on lawyers assigned under the legal-aid system are not given proper representation.

But the Legal Aid Council recently published a list of more than 300 lawyers, including prominent queen's counsels and senior attorneys, who are available to assist persons who cannot afford lawyers.

Welcomed publication

Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne has welcomed the publication of the list, which she believes should allay some fears.

"My main objective is to improve access to justice and this move forms part of the overall effort towards public education, review and expansion of the use of the legal-aid system," Lightbourne said recently.

Under the legal-aid system, attorneys are assigned in criminal matters that are for trial and to perform the function of duty counsel for persons in police custody, or remanded, and yet to face the court.

Represent detainees

The duty counsel will also provide representation for detainees who are facing identification parades or are to be questioned in criminal matters.

If the suspect is charged, the attorney is required to apply for station bail or apply for bail at the first court appearance.

Where the circumstances require, the duty counsel is also mandated to approach the court as a further safeguard against prolonged detention.

The duty-counsel service is at no cost to the detainee/remandee as the Ministry of Justice pays the legal costs.