Through a new memorandum of understanding the elderly will benefit from free legal assistance for both civil and criminal cases, especially if they are victims of crime or have suffered gender-based violence, the Government said.

The Legal Aid Agency will be covering the administrative costs and for the provision of legal services to these elderly people.

The agreement was signed today between the Legal Aid Agency, within the Ministry for Justice, and the Department of Active Ageing and Community Care within the Ministry for Active Ageing. Both parties are agreeing to cooperate together on legal assistance to the elderly.

The Legal Aid Agency will be receiving from the Active Ageing and Community Care Agency referrals of elderly people who need legal assistance. This process will be done digitally through the system used by the Agency known as LARS (Legal Aid Referral System).

All those aged 60 and over who are going through social difficulties can be eligible for this service.

Among the services offered, will be the coordination of meetings between the Lawyers and the elderly through online means with the assistance of social workers, the preparation of necessary legal applications and applications, including that in certain instances cases are heard electronically through videoconferencing.

The parties are also agreeing to collaborate together and offer a specialised survey and exchange of information to the respective workers, as well as an awareness exercise to ensure that the elderly enjoy more knowledge about their rights.

Justice Minister Jonathan Attard stressed how the strengthening and investment in the service provided by the Legal Aid Agency is an integral part of the Government’s plan in the Justice sector, which is intended to ensure a better service both to the public and to the professionals involved in the sector.

The Minister for Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela reiterated that through this collaboration, elderly people who are being followed by social workers and need legal help will be assisted so that this help is more accessible to them.

For more information please contact the social workers on 22788243, or send an e-mail to socialworkunit.aacc@gov.mt

File photo: Gozo News/Alain Salvary

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