Our work aims to increase access to justice for the most disadvantaged. A fair and just legal system should be accessible to all. Improved access to justice requires an informed citizenry, available and affordable legal services and trusted mechanisms for dispute resolution.

We have been supporting lawyers, paralegals and civil society organisations to help disempowered communities among women, people with disabilities and migrants to know and claim their rights. Cases of public interest promote legal literacy and rights awareness.

In criminal cases prompt access to legal assistance is essential. China's new duty lawyer scheme promises detainees access to legal assistance during the initial stages of a criminal investigation. To try and ensure such legal aid is effective we have worked with Chinese legal experts to develop and pilot relevant training.

To encourage training by the legal profession we have assisted law firms to develop mentoring schemes for newly qualified criminal defense lawyers.

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