Jaffna Legal Aid Project

A main highlight of CPP’s humanitarian program is the US State Department-funded initiative, Jaffna Legal Aid Project (JLAP) which commenced in August 2008.

The Jaffna-based Legal Aid Centre is CPP’s focal point in working with Jaffna civil society and addressing the legal aid necessities of deserving and needy Jaffna citizens, especially internally displaced persons and women.

The main activities conducted by the Legal Aid Centre are three pronged: 

1.      Providing land documentation to IDPs,

2.      Providing general legal aid services,

3.      Providing legal aid training to the Centre’s panel lawyers.

Other activities include:

Exercise of the nascent judicial institutions slowly rebuilding in Jaffna, increased public awareness about the rule of law as an alternative to conflict and referral service for other local NGOs serving clients (but lacking legal aid capacity) such as Women in Need, Home for Human Rights, and Family Rehabilitation Centre.