3-day training for empanelled lawyers held

AIZAWL, March 9: A 3-day training began at 10 a.m. on March 5, 2015 at Aijal Club, Aizawl. 50 selected trainees representing panel lawyers from diflèrent districts of Mizoram and a few law students - who will soon join the legal practice - participated in the training. Mr. Joel Joseph Denga, the Member Secretary, Mizorarn State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) welcoming the dignitaries to the iugural function said "No one should be denied access to justice for economic or any other reason"Sharing her experience, Ms. Lalhriatpuii, Retainer Lawyer, said "Fewer people come to the court for justice. By sitting at the front office, 1 was able to assist in giving hope and justice to the poor and vulnerable sections. 1 also realized that I need to be patient, kind and sensitive towards them". Delivering the Key note address,  Ravi Sagar, Director, LCHR said that the training aims at building the capacity of the empanelled lawyers to empower the poor and the margilized. "In order to do this", he added, "Many organizations like Department of Jutice, NLSA, MSLSA and LCHR have come together with carefully arranged activities spread over a period of 8 months. The lawyers are called to exhibit maximum concern and sensitivity in discharging this constitutiol duty". Lalsawta, Minister for Law, Government of Mizoram who was also a senior member of the Bar said, "Justice has become expensive affair for the poor and the weaker. Therefore, empanelled lawyers need the training who are employed to assist the poor to access justice."

D.K. Mahanta, District and Sessions Judge (Rtd) speaking on the occasion said, "Justice is linked with God and only God can do full justice. God has delegated this divine task to judges, lawyers and court officials." Thus, he reminded the empanelled lawyers to become aware of this divine duty while serving the poor and the vulnerable.  Shobha K.P., Deputy Director, LCI-IR, proposed the vote of thanks to the dignitaries who graced the occasion and the participants. While interacting in the introductory session she brought out the need for regular update and to take law practice as a mission with passion.

Ravi Sagar, the Team Leader, speaking on "Legal aid as a fundamental right" brought home the idea that free aid is not a charity but a right of the vulnerable sections which is embedded in the Constitution of India backed by judicial pronouncement and legislative ectment inspired by the intertiol documents. Mr. Joel Joseph Denga highlighted the function, strength and challenge of MSLSA.

Zoparliani Khiangte, Asst. Professor, Govt Mizoram Law College defining the term Scheduled Tribe highlighted the rights and legislative protections enshrined in the Constitution of India and various other ectments. Mr. Ravi Sagar complemented by adding various legislative provision towards SC, OBC, working class, rural and urban poor, victims of tural and ethnic conflicts.

Mi. D.K. Mahanta, the Master Trainer highlighted special provisions for civil procedure and crimil procedure with relevant laws with special reference to vulnerable sections and weaker sections. He disclosed various provisions of Crimil Procedure Code and Civil Procedure Code.

Ravi Sagar facilitated an interesting group discussion and the participants discovered innumerable rights and legislative protections for women, Children., the aged and the people with disabilities.

Ms. Rebecca Lairindik, Professor Govt Mizoram Law College distinguishing professiol ethics from morality she not only clarified the duty of an advocate towards the court, the client, the opponent and the colloquies but also urged the participants to live up to the ideals of the legal profession.

The face-to-face interaction sharing between the Para-Legal Volunteers (PLV) and the empanelled lawyers brought the two together join their hands to strengthen the vulnerable sections to access justice.

Ms. C. Rarndinmawii and Ms. Ruth VanIalampuii 1-Imar presented the recap of the previous days made the participants to refresh their' memory before they begin a new day. The interactive and participative learning in the training enkindled a new fire to serve the weaker sectioii to access justice. Since the prisoners celebrating Chap Char Kut festival exposure to the Central Jail Aizawl did not take place. Before gathering for the closing function, action plan for coming five months is drawn up and an evaluation of the entire 3 day training has been done.

The training came to an end at 5.00 p.m. on March 7, 2015. Mr. Joel Joseph Denga welcomed the dignitaries and Ms. Shobha K.P. summed up the 3 day training and she also at the end of the closing ceremony proposed the vote of thanks. Ms. C. Ramdinmawii said that she not only benefitted from the training but also realized the need for legal aid, as constitutiol and intertiol obligation. Ms. Zothansangi Hmar said that she is one among the fortute few chosen for this training.

Ravi Sagar, called upon the trainees as social engineers to apply the skills of training to build up a strong, just and equitable society for all to access justice.

Speaking at the concluding function Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Judge Gauhati High Court and Executive Chairperson MSLSA congratulated the organizers of the training. He highlighted various aspects of human rights and called upon the trainees not only to deal with human rights but also to respect human rights. This was stated in a press release.