Latest update September 18th, 2026 10:25 AM
Legal Aid goes to Linden
Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards of the Guyana Court of Appeal.
Government and the Directors of the Linden Legal Aid Centre, yesterday officially launched Linden Legal Aid Centre at the Christianburg Magistrate’s Court, in Linden.
Among those present were Region Ten Chairman, Mortimer Mingo, Dr Joan Ward-Mars, Director of the Linden Legal Aid Centre; and Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards of the Guyana Court of Appeal.
Justice Cummings-Edwards said that she was elated with the launch of the Legal Aid Clinic. She said that with the expansion of Legal Aid Services in Guyana, people around the country who cannot afford legal services will now be able to access such.
She encouraged all to support the legal Aid Clinic, which is available worldwide to those who are financially challenged or cannot afford legal fees, which can be exorbitant.
She pointed out that legal aid extends beyond criminal matters and that the law affects every sphere of our lives; and added that Justice is as essential as the air we breathe, and also is as important or even as basic a right as food, shelter and love.
“Legal Aid means peace and order will prevail and everyone will be given their day in court”, Justice Cummings-Edwards declared.
She also pointed out that the greatest “payments” lawyers will receive, is the satisfaction they will get from rendering their services to those in need, not financial gain.
The establishment of the centre does not give one the prerogative to go out and commit crimes, knowing that they will have access to legal aid, or should persons abuse the services, as that would be foolish and put additional pressure on the system, it was emphasised.
People who could afford representation, are also being exhorted not to take advantage of the system.
Mrs Felicia Linch, IADB Justice Improvement Project Consultant on Legal Aid, said that along with greater resources is the need for a holistic approach involving Government (including probation and other support services), Private Practice, Legal Educators, and interest groups and those of us who are advocates for legal aid services.
She expressed the hope that the Linden Legal Aid Centre and the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic will maintain an open dialogue and work together to ensure that legal aid in Guyana becomes a strong feature of the justice system.
She added that it was fortuitous that the launch took place during the course of her visit and thanked the Linden Legal Aid Centre Board, in particular, Director/Secretary – Dr. Joan Ward-Mars, for inviting her to the launch and for giving her the opportunity to say a few words.
Mrs. Linch exhorted all to continue to support not only the Linden Legal Aid Centre, but also the Guyana Legal Aid Clinics in Georgetown, Berbice and Essequibo.
She said she was delighted to have won the consultancy bid to develop Guyana’s plan to expand legal aid as she has worked extensively as a legal aid lawyer in the United Kingdom.
Legal Aid consultancy is part of Guyana’s wider strategy to modernise the justice system. This strategy is important for Guyana’s development; as no nation can properly develop, civilly or economically without the rule of law, she said.
Minister Priya Manickchand in her brief presentation before declaring the center officially open, said that legal aid for the poor is not “a frill”, and is not a luxury, but a necessity.
She said that she was very pleased to be associated with the launch of the center, which she believes will later have to be extended from Linden , to encompass the whole of Region Ten.
Legal Aid is fully funded by the Government of Guyana, while the Linden Legal Aid centre is funded by UNICEF and USAID.
The service was launched in Essequibo in June last year, and later in Regions Two, Five, and Six.
With the launch of this vital service, Lindeners and other residents of Region Ten will now be able to access the service without having to travel to Georgetown, as was the case in the past.
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