04.05.2007

Shefa M. Jamalzadeh, left, and Anar E. Gasimov, second from right, provide legal services to citizens in Ali-Bayramli.

This past winter, the Rule of Law Initiative launched the much anticipated Traveling Lawyers project in Azerbaijan. This undertaking, part of the Rule of Law Initiative's Access to Justice program, was conceived with the goal of providing qualified legal assistance to citizens throughout Azerbaijan's more remote regions. Although there are a number of trained attorneys practicing in Baku, the quality of legal representation available in Azerbaijan's remote areas is woefully inadequate. The Traveling Lawyers project addresses this problem by sending two attorneys on a bi-weekly basis to provide free legal services to residents who would otherwise have no access to qualified legal representation.

The attorneys supply legal advice, consultations and referrals in conference space provided by partner NGOs in the regions. They address a wide range of legal issues, from complex land disputes to the procedural requirements of simple legal document filings. Their services have been universally well-received, and the Rule of Law Initiative staff is already seeking ways to expand its outreach efforts to additional regions. Thus far, the lawyers have provided legal advice to residents of three regions of the country on six separate outings. To date, the program has granted pro bono legal services to 83 clients. Four new regions will be serviced this April. This project is modeled on the Rule of Law Initiative's Traveling Lawyer program in Moldova.

For more information, please contact Rule of Law Program Legal Specialist David Rubino at, at <Dave.Rubino@aba-az.org>.