𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

…𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏, 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎

By Yeshi Dolma

Access to justice remains a cornerstone of a functioning society, ensuring that citizens’ rights are protected and that social cohesion is maintained. Legal aid, in particular, plays a pivotal role in supporting vulnerable groups who may otherwise struggle to navigate the complexities of the legal system. In recent years, the nation has taken significant strides toward building a people-centric justice system through the establishment of Legal Aid Centres that provide accessible and effective legal support to those who need it most.

Mohammad Younus, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said, “Access to justice is a fundamental right for every citizen and forms the cornerstone of a constructive social contract and social cohesion. UNDP, globally, works closely with partners to enhance access to justice because a just society is the foundation of a prosperous society. At its core, access to justice ensures that citizens have confidence that their rights are protected.”

The transformative impact of legal aid is evident worldwide. In one of Bangladesh’s bazaars, for instance, an illiterate woman named Aisha, who had sold a cow without a formal contract, was initially denied payment. Through the intervention of trained paralegals supported by the Legal Aid Centre, her case was resolved successfully. In Kenya, Maimouna Hussain secured child support from her estranged husband with the assistance of legal aid. These cases illustrate how timely legal intervention can significantly improve individual lives, particularly for those who face systemic barriers to justice.

The nation itself offers examples of the positive effect of a responsive, people-centric justice system. One citizen successfully challenged a government ministry over the lack of notification regarding shortlisting for a public process. The ministry acted promptly, demonstrating the strength of the social contract between the state and its citizens. Yet gaps remain in ensuring that justice is fully accessible to all, especially in remote areas or among marginalized populations.

The upcoming regional Legal Aid Centres are set to play a critical role in bridging these gaps. For example, Tshering Dema benefited from legal aid support in resolving issues regarding her child’s registration. While such interventions may appear small, they have profound effects on families and communities, building trust in the justice system and promoting social cohesion.

Karma Dorji, Registrar of the Legal Aid Centre, explained that in its first three months, the Centre served 21 clients, and from 2022 until October 2025, it has assisted a total of 218 clients. The Centre provides legal assistance, legal advice, and legal representation. In addition, it conducts programs in legal education and advocacy to strengthen public understanding of legal rights.

Central to the Centre’s success are its dedicated private lawyers, who deliver services pro bono in collaboration with the Bar Council of Bhutan. The Centre also offers fee-based services supported by government funding. Training and capacity-building provided by UNICEF and UNDP have equipped lawyers, case managers, and personnel specializing in child and gender protection with the skills necessary to support children in conflict with the law and other vulnerable groups across the dzongkhags.

Eligibility for the Centre’s services is determined through a combination of means and merit tests. The merit test ensures that cases are legally robust and ready for court, while the means test evaluates applicants’ income against the poverty line established by the National Statistics Bureau. Special provisions allow the means test to be waived for children in conflict with the law, persons with disabilities, and elderly citizens, ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive the support they need regardless of income.

One poignant example highlights the life-changing impact of legal aid. An 11-month-old girl’s mother, Karma Lhamo, faced tremendous hardship when her child’s father denied responsibility after attempting to end the pregnancy with medicine. Alone and uneducated, selling doma to survive, Karma had nowhere to turn until the PEMA Secretariat referred her to the Legal Aid Centre. The Centre guided her through the legal process, prepared the necessary documents, and accompanied her to court. As a result, Karma secured Nu 6,000 per month in child-care assistance from the father, providing stability for herself and her child.

The Legal Aid Centre said, “These cases highlight our focus on vulnerable women, children, and people in difficult circumstances. Each case is unique, and we ensure fair and accessible legal support.”

UNDP continues to provide funding and training for local leaders, while UNICEF strengthens service providers who support children in conflict with the law. Together, these agencies are working to expand access to justice for the nation’s most vulnerable populations.

The establishment of regional Legal Aid Centres is a key milestone in this effort. The Centre in the border town of Phuentsholing, the nation’s commercial hub, was inaugurated on 30 August 2025. It is designed to serve communities including women, persons with disabilities, children in conflict with the law, and survivors of gender-based violence- groups that often encounter barriers when seeking legal assistance. From legal counsel to representation and referrals, the Centre aims to provide justice where it is most needed.

This initiative is part of a broader project, “Strengthening people-centric and inclusive access to justice,” led by the Bhutan National Legal Institute in collaboration with UNDP and funded by the European Union at a total cost of around Nu 114 million. The Phuentsholing Centre is one of two regional centres planned in 2025, with the second set to open at the Mongar Dzongkhag Court later this year.

These regional centres are closely linked with the National Legal Aid Centre in Thimphu, which has operated since 2022, enhancing continuity and consistency in service delivery. Legal aid in the nation demonstrates that even modest interventions can have significant ripple effects, reinforcing social trust and ensuring the rule of law extends to all citizens. Mohammad Younus of UNDP added, “While the nation can offer valuable lessons to other countries, continuous improvement is essential to ensure justice is accessible to all, and that every citizen’s rights are protected.”

Through legal aid, the nation is building a justice system that is not only responsive but inclusive, ensuring that citizens, regardless of age, gender, income, or ability, have access to the protections and support they deserve. The expanding network of Legal Aid Centers promises a future in which vulnerable populations can navigate legal challenges with confidence, stability, and hope.