Legal Empowerment window

Legal Empowerment window

  • clinical legal aid to clients affected by violation of their fundamental rights by the executive, especially on matters concerned with criminal justice
  • representation in public interest litigation
  • public awareness and legal literacy campaigns
  • awareness on environmental laws
Funding Mechanism
  • The Governing Body shall allocate 13.5% share of income generated on the Fund to the Legal Empowerment Fund Window, which shall be expended for the purposes specified in clause (b) of rule 10 of the AJDF Rules.
  • The Commission shall expend the 70% out of the total 13.5% share of Legal Empowerment Fund Window as per criteria laid down by the Governing Body
  • The 30 % amount out of the total 13.5 % shall be transferred to the District Legal Empowerment Committee hereinafter referred as DLEC
  • The DLEC shall be constituted by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan with the concurrence of the concerned High Court and the Provincial Government
  • The DLEC shall comprise of District & Session Judge as its head, the District Coordination Officer, President District Bar Association, District Superintendent Jail of such District shall be the members. The DLEC shall co?opt one representative from the civil society as member for a period of three years
  • The DLEC shall open a separate account in the Bank to be managed and operated by its head.
  • The DLEC shall utilize fund for the purpose of legal aid as per criteria laid down by the Governing Body
  • The DLEC shall send the half yearly and annual verified and audited accounts to the Commission
Eligibility Criteria for Organizations/ Individuals
  • Registration certificate
  • Detail of previous donors and projects executed about legal empowerment
  • Details and particulars of office bearers and project executing team (which include at least two lawyers)
  • CNIC, curriculum vitae, two reference letters and evidence of educational qualification and professional experience
  • Organization profile, registered postal address of the NGO/Organization
  • Field of expertise and 3 years latest audited statements
  • Project completion certificates (if any)
  • Any previous research / working ( by researchers)
  • Detail of previous projects with funding organizations/ donors.

Accounting Procedures of the Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF), 2005 for:

Legal Empowerment Fund

1.      The Governing Body shall allocate 13.5% share of income generated on the Fund to the Legal Empowerment Fund Window, which shall be expended for the purposes specified in clause (b) of rule 10 of the AJDF Rules.

2.      The Commission shall expend the 70% out of the total 13.5% share of Legal Empowerment Fund Window as per criteria laid down by the Governing Body. 

3.      The 30 % amount out of the total 13.5 % shall be transferred to the District Legal Empowerment Committee hereinafter referred as DLEC.

4.      The DLEC shall be constituted by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan with the concurrence of the concerned High Court and the Provincial Government.  

5.      The DLEC shall comprise of District & Session Judge as its head, the District Coordination Officer, President District Bar Association, District Superintendent Jail of such District shall be the members. The DLEC shall co?opt one representative from the civil society as member for a period of three years.     

6.      The DLEC shall open a separate account in the Bank to be managed and operated by its head.  

7.      The DLEC shall utilize fund for the purpose of legal aid as per criteria laid down by the Governing Body.

8.       The DLEC shall send the half yearly and annual verified and audited accounts to the Commission.  

Performance of the Window:

Since first phase of Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF) announced in the year 2005, a total of 734 projects were received for funding on legal awareness, advocacy, inheritance, environmental laws, consumer protection laws and other relevant topics. Out of which 48 projects were recommended by the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) and approved by the Governing Body, AJDF for funding in four provinces. Furthermore, an amount of Rs.47,854,301/- was released to support the projects.

In addition, an amount of Rs.21,200,000/- was released to 106 District Legal Empowerment Committees(DLECs) established and notified in four provinces for provision of free legal aid to deserving litigants who do not have sufficient means to pursue their cases before the court of law. The utilization is still in process.

Windows for investment

Statutes & Rules