Legal aid professionals and policymakers from North Macedonia concluded a three-day study visit to the Netherlands, gaining first-hand insights into one of the world’s most advanced legal aid systems. The visit is part of the ongoing EU and Council of Europe efforts to strengthen access to justice, in line with European standards.

Representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Bar Association, legal clinics, civil society, judiciary, and academia engaged with their Dutch counterparts in vivid discussions to explore best practices in legal aid administration, funding, and the role of key stakeholders including legal clinics and civil society organizations. Insights gained during the visit will contribute to further strengthen the Free Legal Aid system in North Macedonia by applying best practices from the Dutch experience to provide access to justice for all citizens.

The Netherlands is recognised worldwide for its comprehensive legal aid framework, that ensures equal access to justice also for vulnerable and marginalised individuals. The visit included a series of meetings in key Dutch institutions including the Dutch Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand), Ministry of Justice and Security, and the Dutch Bar Association. Discussions covered administration of legal aid, funding mechanisms, and the role of different stakeholders in ensuring equal access to justice.

Other highlights of the visit included detailed sessions on how legal aid is provided to vulnerable groups, the duty solicitor scheme, victim support services, and legal aid for asylum seekers. The delegation’s active participation and knowledge-sharing during these meetings helps the process of shaping a more effective and accessible Free Legal Aid system in North Macedonia, for all the citizens.

The study visit was organised by the action “Towards a Consolidated and More Efficient Free Legal Aid (FLA) System in North Macedonia” part of the of the European Union and Council of Europe joint initiative “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.