Chairperson, I rise on behalf of the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development to recommend that the Council approves the amendments to the Legal Aid Guide 2011. Legal Aid South Africa has tabled in Parliament the proposed amendments to the Legal Aid Guide 2011, which will replace the 2009 Legal Aid Guide that was ratified by the National Council of Provinces on 11 November 2008.
The guide seeks to update the information and processes by which legal aid is administered and granted. It is intended for use by individuals in need of legal representation and persons receiving legal aid applications, including, among others, private legal practitioners, those employed by Legal Aid South Africa, magistrate offices and NGOs. The amendments are submitted to Parliament for ratification. In this instance, the NCOP must ratify said amendments, which have been considered by the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development.
The select committee commends the good work done by Legal Aid South Africa and the fact that it is their quest to improve the efficiency of the services they deliver to citizens. Having considered the Legal Aid amendments submitted to it, the select committee hereby recommends that the Council endorses and approves the amendments to the Legal Aid Guide 2011. I so move. [Applause.]