Field Work Internship

On
“Access to Justice and Legal Aid in Bangladesh”
Course Title: Field Work Internship.
Course Code: CLCS- 1225.

Submitted to-

Md. Jafar Iqbal

Assistant Professor
Course Teacher
Department of Social Work
Jagannath University, Dhaka.

Prepared by-

Ananta Bikash Dhamai

ID: C01206, Batch: 1st.
Session: 2017-2018.
Masters of Professional Social Work (MPSW)
In Criminology and Correctional Services (CLCS)
Department of Social Work
Jagannath University, Dhaka.

Date of Submission: December 05, 2018.

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 Field Work Internship
On
“Access to Justice and Legal Aid in Bangladesh”
Course Title: Field Work Internship.
Course Code: CLCS- 1225.

Internal Supervisor External Supervisor

Md. Jafar Iqbal Md. Alamgir Hossain

Assistant Professor Senior Assistant Judge
Course Teacher District Legal Aid Officer
Department of Social Work District Legal Aid Office, Dhaka.
Jagannath University, Dhaka.

Submitted by-

Ananta Bikash Dhamai

ID: C01206, Batch: 1st.
Session: 2017-2018.
Masters of Professional Social Work (MPSW)
In Criminology and Correctional Services (CLCS)
Department of Social Work
Jagannath University, Dhaka.

Date of Submission: December 05, 2018.

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 Acknowledgement

At first, I would like to thank Almighty Allah for his kindness on me in accomplishing the
Field Work Internship.
The internship opportunity I had with District Legal Aid Office, Dhaka was a great chance
for learning and professional development. Therefore, I consider myself as a very lucky
person as I was provided with an opportunity to be a part of it. I am also grateful for
having a chance to meet so many people and professionals who led me through this
internship period.
I acknowledge with gratitude my indebtedness to my honorable supervisor Md. Jafar
Iqbal, Assistant Professor & Course Conductor, Department of Social Work, Jagannath
University, Dhaka. He extended his helping hard by providing guidance, offering valuable
suggestion, encouragement to complete my Field Work Internship. I would like to
specially thanks to Professor Dr. Abul Hossain, Professor & Ex-chairman, Department of
Social Work, Jagannath University, Dhaka who taught us in the first semester that “How
to research work”.
I would like to specially thanks to Professor Md. Rezaul Karim Ph.D, Programme Co-
ordinator, PMC, Masters of Professional Social Work (MPSW), Department of Social
Work, Jagannath University, Dhaka, who gave us the opportunity to do the Field Work
Internship under the department. Bearing in mind previous I am using this opportunity to
express my deepest gratitude and special thanks to the Senior Assistant Judge Mr. Md.
Alamgir Hossain, Coordinator of District Legal Aid Office, Dhaka in spite of being extra-
ordinarily busy with his duties, took time out to hear, guide and keep me on the correct
path and allowing me to carry out my report at their esteemed organization and extending
during the training.
I express my deepest thanks to Mr. Kazi Salauddin, Advocate, Bangladesh Supreme
Court and Md. Abdul Hannan, Office Assistant, District Legal Aid Office, Dhaka for
taking part in useful decision & giving necessary advices and guidance, arranged all
facilities and Data & information to make my report easily. I choose this moment to
acknowledge their contribution gratefully.I also like to extend special thanks to Shilpi
Rani Dey, Assistant professor, Partha Sharathi Mohonta, Department of Social Work,
Jagannath University, Dhaka for important

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information and guidance during the study period that has greatly inspired me in preparing
this Field Work Internship successfully. To prepare this research, I had to go to several
places for collecting the necessary papers, documents and other things. I am very much
pleased to have a good behavior from them as well as help to prepare this Field Work
Internship.
Last but not the least, I express my special thanks to all of my friends who has helped and
supported me expended during the Field Work Internship. Specially my collogues
Advocate Shariful Alam Razib and Farjana Akter Sathi who coordinate during the Field
Work Internship. Specially thanks to Mr. Advocate Md. Afsar Hossain Roni who works
punctually together and a coordinator our group during this Field Work Internship.

Ananta Bikash Dhamai

ID: C01206, Batch: 1st.
Session: 2017-2018.
Masters of Professional Social Work (MPSW)
In Criminology and Correctional Services (CLCS)
Department of Social Work
Jagannath University, Dhaka.

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 Abstract

This paper examines “Access to Justice and Legal Aid in Bangladesh”. Nowadays the
Legal Aid programs are recognized internationally that is way the Government of
Bangladesh tries to provide Legal Aid to the poor people and the Government also
encourages the NGO to provide Legal Aid. If those organizations play vital role by
providing Legal Aid then the poor people will get fair justice with the reach person. I will
discuss the current information and present practice about Legal Aid and how Legal Aid
can play vital role for ends of justice. I will also discuss about the role of government and
NGO regarding Legal Aid. This research is required to mention the present situation of
Access to Justice and Legal Aid in Bangladesh that is why this research also holds this
portion. There are some of laws about Legal Aid but those laws have some loopholes for
that reason prescribed some recommendation in this research. I will also discuss how we
can establish access to justice by Legal Aid.

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 Table of Contents

Serial Contents Page No

No
CHAPTER – I 1-12
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER
1 Introduction 1
2 Definition of Criminal Justice Social Work 2
3 Historical development of Criminal Justice Social Work 3
4 Concept of field of Criminal Justice Social Work 5
5 The aims & Objectives of field work in Criminal Justice Social 7
Work
6 Importance of field work in Criminal Justice Social Work 9
7 Inter relationship between Criminal Justice Social Work education 11
& field work
CHAPTER –II 13-19
THE CONCEPT OF THIS FIELD WORK INTERNSHIP
1 Definition 13
2 The Concept of Legal Aid 15
3 The types of Legal Aid 15
4 The Distinction between Civil Legal Aid and Criminal Legal Aid 16
5 Rehabilitative Legal Aid 17
6 Who is Eligible for getting Legal Aid? 17
7 Meaning of Legal Aid 18
8 The Usefulness of Legal Aid 18
9 The Universal Principles of Legal Aid 18
10 The Exception of Legal Aid 19
CHAPTER – III 20-25
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF LEGAL AID
1 Historical Background of Legal Aid 20
2 Legal Aid in UK 22
3 The Legal Aid in U.S.A 22
4 Legal Aid in Australia 23
5 Legal Aid in Bangladesh 24

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 CHAPTER – IV 26-32
THE STATUS OF LEGAL AID IN BANGLADESH

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1 The status of Legal Aid in Bangladesh 26
2 Legal Aid System in Bangladesh 27
3 Legal Literacy & Public Awareness: A Pre-Condition for Legal 29
Aid Scheme
4 Free Legal Aid at the Cost of the Government is a Fundamental 29
Right
5 The State of Bangladesh in Legal Aid Support 31
6 Importance of Legal Aid in Bangladesh 31
CHAPTER – V 33-43
THE STATUS OF ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN BANGLADESH
1 The Concept of Access to Justice 33
2 The Right to Access to Justice 34
3 Rule of Law & Access to Justice 35
4 Access to Justice for Women 36
5 Access to Justice: A Conceptual and Practical Analysis with 37
Implications for Justice Reforms
6 Access to Justice through Legal Aid 38
7 Bangladesh: Access to Justice by the Poor 41
8 Promoting Access to Justice and Human Rights in Bangladesh 42
9 Access to Justice in Bangladesh 42
10 Limitations of Access to Justice 43
CHAPTER – VI 44-52
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT (LAWS) ON
LEGAL AID
1 Provision of Legal Aid in International Instruments 44
2 Legal Aid Provisions in the Constitution of India 46
3 History of Legal Aid Laws in Bangladesh 46
4 The Provision of Access to Justice in the Constitution of the 48
Bangladesh
CHAPTER – VI (Cont.) 49-52
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT (LAWS) ON
LEGAL AID
5 Legal Aid Provisions in Existing Bangladeshi Law 49
6 Legal Aid in Civil Matters 50
7 Legal Aid in Criminal Matters 51
8 The Legal Aid Act, 2000 52
CHAPTER – VII 53-64
THE ROLE OF NATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND NON

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 GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION (LEGAL AID WORKER)
PROVIDED LEGAL AID IN BANGLADESH
1 Who is a Legal Aid Worker? 53
2 The Code of Conduct of Legal Aid Worker 53
3 Duties of Legal Aid Worker 54
4 Rules Relating to the Qualifications of a Legal Aid Worker 55
5 Rule of Legal Aid Worker 56
6 Legal Aid provided by the NGOs 56
7 Legal Aid and NGOs 57
8 Linkage between Government and NGO Legal Aid 58
9 The Performance of the National Legal Aid Organization at a 59
Glance
10 The States obligations under international law to provide Legal Aid 59
to the poor and indigent litigants
11 The Role of the NGOs providing Legal Aid in Bangladesh 60
12 Manusher Jonno Foundation 60
13 The Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) 61
14 Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) 63
CHAPTER – VIII 65-69
ADMINISTRATION OF LEGAL AID IN BANGLADESH
1 From where the poor people can get Legal Aid 65
2 For What reasons a person is not capable for getting Legal Aid 65
3 Administration of Legal Aid in Bangladesh 66
4 National Legal Aid Organization 66
5 The Formation of National Directory Board 66
6 District Legal Aid Committee 67
7 Duties and Responsibilities of the District Committee 68
8 Fund of Legal Aid 68
9 Application for Legal Aid and Provisions of Appeal 69
CHAPTER – IX 70-73
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ACCESS TO JUSTICE
AND LEGAL AID
1 Legal Aid and Access to Justice: Prospects and problems 70
2 Proper monitoring and follow-up measures 72
3 Legal Aid committee in Thanas and Upazillas 72

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4 Advantages of Legal Aid 73
5 Disadvantages of Legal Aid 73
CHAPTER - X 74-84
CONCLUDING CHAPTER
1 Findings 74
2 Recommendations 75
3 Conclusion 77
4 Practical Field Study about Access to Justice and Legal Aid 79
5 Interviews of Legal Aid Organization 80
6 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 82

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