Senators Fear Exploitation of Legal Aid Services

Elena Smith

Union Senator, Elena Smith, also made contributions to the debate on the amendments being made to the Senior Court Act and the passage of the Legal Aid Bill. The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is concerned that these legal aid services will be exploited by persons who are positioned to pay for their own legal services. Here is how she explained it.

Elena Smith, Union Senator

“One of the concerns that we wish to express here Madam President is whether we may see less persons willing to be on this panel to be available and what impact that would have on those persons waiting trial. You know sometimes it takes some time and people are on remand for quite a long time and this may be, I am not of the system so I am just sharing what we perceive could possibly be a hold back that maybe persons might have to wait longer to get someone to represent them. I know Senator Peyrefitte and Senator Kay talked about people using this system to their advantage so we have to pay attention to how that works as well.”

Isabel Bennett Moody

Isabel Bennett Moody, Government Senator

“Having a Legal Aid Bill and its entire framework do afford for thousands who are at risk of having their rights ignored or violated, especially when they are interacting with the criminal justice system. They now have an avenue to be able for their rights to be protected. This in my mind translates into Belizeans having access to justice whether they are poor or marginalized or at a disadvantage in accessing the system.”

Eamon Courtenay

Eamon Courtenay, Senator for Government Business

“So, the first principle is if you can pay for it you pay for it. The legal aid services does not exist to allow persons who have the ability to hire Senator Peyrefitte to come and say I want legal aid and the state must pay for me.”