THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA The Constitution of The Gambia guarantees access to justice for all persons in The Gambia. This includes access to all courts on all matters relating to the rights protected under the Constitution. Section 24 provides that in the determination of civil rights and obligations or any criminal charge, a person shall be entitled to a fair, speedy and public hearing before an independent and impartial court. Apart from the entrenched right to a fair hearing guaranteed by the Constitution, various other laws such as the Criminal Procedure Code and decisions of superior courts promote and protect the right to fair hearing. I. National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA) To further promote access to justice the National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA) was established by an Act of the National Assembly. The Agency was officially launched on 30 th September 2010. The primary objective of the legal aid scheme is to ensure the provision of legal aid services to the poor and vulnerable members of society who cannot afford the services of a lawyer. NALA provides legal advice as well as legal representation in the courts of law in criminal matters in court, police stations and prisons. In 2014, twentyseven (27) cases were referred to the Agency for legal advice. In addition mobile legal aid clinics have been carried out in the regions, from January 2014 to date. The table below contains information on the number of legal aid cases in all regions, which include cases of murder, armed robbery, rape, treason, arson, abduction and possession of prohibited drugs. Year Cases in the Children`s court Cases at the Superior courts January to June 2018 95 65 2017 80 78 2016 53 68 2015 54 53 2014 17 53 2013 15 112 2012 10 111 2011 30 72 38