Free Legal Aid Center

Equal access to justice involves extending the reach of formal institutions by removing barriers. The provision of free legal aid services is particularly effective in increasing access for vulnerable segments of the population—particularly women, children, people with disabilities, prison inmates and people living with HIV/AIDS.

 

The Law School is proud to deliver legal aid as part of its responsibility to provide community service. The Free Legal Aid Center (formerly known as Human Rights and Legal Aid Center) was established in 2005 with the support of Action Aid Ethiopia. Since 2010 the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has supported the Center’s activities.

 

The Center’s objectives are:

 

  • To provide free legal aid services to those who cannot afford them, especially to vulnerable segments of society;
  • To ensure that the Law School has effectively discharged its responsibility to provide community service;
  • To offer practice oriented legal education to law students.

 

The Center currently provides the following services:

 

  • Legal counseling
  • Preparation of pleadings
  • Representation before courts of law, when necessary
  • Radio programing via ANRS FM radio on select legal issues

 

The Center has two locations:

 

  • Main Center - at the Amhara Women's Association office in kebele 13
  • Prison Center - at the West Gojjam Zone Prison Administration

 

The Center is managed by:

 

  • Belayneh Admasu - Coordinator, BDU Free Legal Aid Center
  • Tegegne Zergaw - Dean, School of Law

 

For more information, please contact Belayneh Admasu at +251 91 8760722.