Authorities in North Macedonia are committed to strengthen their co-operation and institutional efforts in advancing free legal aid reforms and ensure better free legal aid for the citizens of North Macedonia. This was underlined during the Second Meeting of the National Co-ordination Body for implementation of the Law on Free Legal Aid (NCB) gathered in Skopje. The participants from key institutions in the field of free legal aid such as the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, the Ombudsman’s office, the Chamber of Notaries, the State Employment Agency, Bar Association, related civil society organisations (CSOs) etc., had the opportunity to discuss important issues surrounding the processing of free legal aid applications and also to adopt the Rules of Procedures, which will regulate the activity and functions of the National Co-ordination Body.

During this meeting were also shared some of the key achievements and challenges identified in the implementation of the Law on Free Legal Aid focusing on the legal needs of the citizens and tools for increased promotion of the Law on Free Legal Aid. The participants confirmed a more active role of the National Co-ordination Body in the future, to ensure improved access to justice for citizens through better institutional co-ordination.

The action “Supporting enhanced access to higher quality Free Legal Aid services in North Macedonia” is part of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022”