United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems
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be capable of communicating with children at their level of understanding.
All legal aid providers working with and for children should receive basic
interdisciplinary training on the rights and needs of children of different age
groups and on proceedings that are adapted to them, and training on
psychological and other aspects of the development of children, with special
attention to girls and children who are members of minority or indigenous
groups, and on available measures for promoting the defence of children
who are in conflict with the law;
(e) Establishing mechanisms and procedures to ensure close coopera‑
tion and appropriate referral systems between legal aid providers and
different professionals to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the child,
as well as an assessment of his or her legal, psychological, social, emotional,
physical and cognitive situation and needs.
59. To ensure the effective implementation of nationwide legal aid schemes,
States should consider establishing a legal aid body or authority to provide,
administer, coordinate and monitor legal aid services. Such a body should:
(a) Be free from undue political or judicial interference, be independ‑
ent of the Government in decision‑making related to legal aid and not be
subject to the direction, control or financial intimidation of any person or
authority in the performance of its functions, regardless of its administrative
structure;
(b) Have the necessary powers to provide legal aid, including but not
limited to the appointment of personnel; the designation of legal aid services
to individuals; the setting of criteria and accreditation of legal aid providers,
including training requirements; the oversight of legal aid providers and the
establishment of independent bodies to handle complaints against them; the
assessment of legal aid needs nationwide; and the power to develop its own
budget;
(c) Develop, in consultation with key justice sector stakeholders and
civil society organizations, a long‑term strategy guiding the evolution and
sustainability of legal aid;
(d) Report periodically to the responsible authority.
Guideline 12.
Funding the nationwide legal aid system
60. Recognizing that the benefits of legal aid services include financial
benefits and cost savings throughout the criminal justice process, States