Legal Aid Service Provider's Network

LASPNET exists to coordinate and harmonize/standardize legal aid services provided by the different service providers. Our mandate is To provide strategic linkages and a collaborative platform for legal aid service providers (LASPs) in Uganda and maintain a common fron.

Values

• Transparency & Accountability
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Inclusiveness
• Excellence
• Creativity & Innovativeness

Vision

A free and just society.

Mission

To provide a platform for effective networking and collaboration to enhance legal aid service delivery and access to justice for the most vulnerable and marginalized people.

Strategic Objectives

1. Harmonized National legal and policy framework for enhancement of legal aid provision, access to justice and observance of human rights and rule of law in Uganda:

To Develop and promote a policy environment that is conducive to legal aid

Initiatives
1.1.  Review the advocacy strategy and re-engage policy makers to fast track the enactment of critical pro-poor laws such as the National Legal Aid Bill, 2020; Human Rights Defenders Bill, 2019; Sexual Offences Bill, 2019 among others
1.2.  Advocate for review of critical access to justice, human rights and rule of law restrictive policies and laws which include; The Poor Persons Defence Act Cap. 20; Human Rights Enforcement Act, 2019; Data Protection and Privacy Act; Public Order Management (POMA), 2013 and Computer Misuse Act, and NGO Act, 2016 among others
1.3.  Support tracking and contribute to implementation of laws intended to promote human rights i.e., the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, 2012.
1.4. Continue coordination and strengthening projects aimed at promoting human rights and access to justice including the Call centre; Execution of Court orders; Corruption Monitoring; Rapid Response among others

2. Evidence-based legal aid programming and advocacy through a strengthened research and knowledge system.:

Initiatives
2.1.  Operationalization of the research and knowledge management unit through capacity building of Secretariat staff, Membership and relying on externals to undertake independent research projects
2.2.  Continue undertaking periodic research on topical issues such as legal aid, access to justice and rule of law to development of position papers; articles and policy briefs
2.3.  Continue to Research and Develop appropriate user manual and protocols for LASPs
2.4.  Manage data and information in the area of legal aid; access to justice and rule of law and further disseminate it to the relevant stakeholders such as JLOS, Media and others
2.5.  Undertake deliberate dissemination strategies and tracking use of LASPNET research including identifying issues for Membership implementation within their mission and goals

3. Effective and efficient functional organization systems through human resource development, redesigning and reviewing policies, integrating technological advancement, diversifying resource mobilization and sustainability:

Initiatives
3.1. Establish and implement a sub-grant mechanism to support the members/LASPs
3.2. Purchase land or construct own office space
3.3.Mobilise resources human and financial to set up regional offices using a scale up process
3.4.Strengthen capacity of LASPs on different thematic areas as need arises through annual assessments and trainings among others

4. Strengthened network and partnership of legal aid service providers through capacity building and support in advancing the legal aid, access to justice and rule of law.

Initiatives
4.1.  Continue maintaining and strengthening existing partnerships in addition to identification of new like-minded partners
4.2.  Sharing information and knowledge with members and stakeholders on best practices, models and innovations in legal aid learning platforms.
4.3.  Continue promote online and physical communication among the members through platforms such as the CEOs meeting, regional engagement meetings, annual general meetings among others.
4.4.  Hold periodic round table meetings with strategic partners and development partners to scan the operating environment and identify areas that deserve funding

5. Effective and efficient functional organization systems through human resource development, redesigning and reviewing policies, integrating technological advancement, diversifying resource mobilization and sustainability:

 Initiatives
5.1.  Mobilise resources human and financial to set up regional offices using a scale up process
5.2.  Strengthen capacity of LASPs on different thematic areas as need arises through annual assessments and trainings among others
5.3.  Continue strengthening the governance structure of the organisation through conducting the annual general meetings, quarterly board and committee meetings as well as clusters
5.4.  Strengthen the ICT Unit by transforming it from a unit into a department
5.5.  Continue undertaking the development and dissemination of National Legal Aid Quality Standards for service providers