Department of Access to Justice

Department of Access to Justice

The Department of Access to Justice in the new organization structure is referred as the Department of Protection in the current that has been transformed in consultation with senior members of staff in Puntland. The following are the functions of the Department of Access to Justice: –

  • Ensuring that Puntland people get justice specially the vulnerable groups such as women, children, minorities and IDPs
  • Protection of human rights and international conventions signed by Somali Government
  • Support of the victims to get the rights to access to justice
  • Capacity building of the justice stakeholders in areas of access to justice and human rights
  • Coordination of the formulation of the policies, framework and programs to support the streamlining of the gender justice, legal aid and justice for children PSS
  • Preparation and implementation of the five (5) year strategic plan and budget for the department.
  • Preparation and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system and tools for the Department
  • Preparation and implementation of the capacity development for all staff based on the needs assessment and in-line with Puntland Civil Service Commission (PCSC) guidelines and requirements.
  • Preparation of the annual financial estimates in consultation with the heads of sections

The department is divided into three sections which include the Gender Justice Mainstream, Legal Aid and Justice for Children Sections. The following table provides the functions for each of the sections:

 

SECTIONS FUNCTIONS
1 Gender Justice Mainstream Section ·  Review and implementation of the policies, procedures, guidelines and regulations for the Gender Justice Mainstream Section

·  Preparation of framework and programs to support and implementation of seamless mainstream of the gender justice issues affecting the vulnerable including the women, children, minorities and IDPs

·  Monitor the implementation of Gender Justice Mainstream policies, rules, guidelines and regulations in Puntland

·  Preparation of the draft bills that are required to achieve the objectives of the Gender Justice Mainstream

·  Implementation of the five (5) year strategic plan and budget in the Gender Justice Mainstream Section
2 Legal Aid Section ·  Review and implementation of the policies, procedures, guidelines and regulations for the legal aid in PSS

·  Preparation of the draft bills that are required to achieve the objectives of the legal aid

·  Provide legal aid (legal advice and legal representation) to all eligible people of Puntland who meet the qualifying criteria in line with the Government expenditure programs

·  Preparation and distribution of the guidelines and requirements for representation on criminal, divorce, civil and other matters in the courts, tribunals etc. to the public.

·  Monitor the implementation of legal aid policies, rules, guidelines and regulations in Puntland

·  Implementation of the five (5) year strategic plan and budget in the Legal Aid Section.

·  Coordination of the inter-ministerial and sectional collaboration and cooperation on Legal Aid

 
3

Justice for Children Section

 ·         Review and implementation of the policies, procedures, guidelines and regulations for the justice for children in PSS

·         Preparation of the draft bills that are required to achieve the objectives of the justice for children in PSS

·         Development and implementation of the framework and programs that support and promote justice for children PSS

·         Monitor the implementation of legal aid policies, rules, guidelines and regulations in Puntland

·         Implementation of the five (5) year strategic plan and budget in the Legal Aid Section.

·         Coordination of the inter-ministerial and sectional collaboration and justice for children