FOR last year, 2,287 persons from January to September sought assistance from the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic (GLAC), according to statistics.

Of the amount heard across the GLAC’s offices in Regions Two, Four, Five and Six; 1,063 accounted for divorce.
In 2018, January to December, 2, 958 persons received legal aid. Of this, 1,156 of them were interviewed for divorce matters, of which 794 received representation.
The Guyana Legal Aid Clinic predominantly dealt with civil matters including divorce, domestic violence, Deed Polls and Affidavit, property disputes, injunction, tenant, bigamy, personal injury/death claims, division of property, custody and access, trespass, employment, among others.

Criminal matters included: narcotics, assault, threatening language, rape, carnal knowledge, murder, manslaughter, robbery, theft, disorderly behaviour and firearm possession.

In cases where persons did not qualify for legal aid, they were referred to the private bar.

Guyana Legal Aid Clinic (formerly Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic) is a non-governmental, non-profit making, non-partisan organisation that provides legal aid to persons who cannot afford to employ the services of a member of the private bar.

GLDA opened its doors in March 1994 and receives an annual subvention from the government for the provisions of attorneys-at-law, rent-free space amongst others. It also receives donations from other bodies.

The GLAC has four offices: King and Charlotte Streets, Georgetown, Region 4; Anna Regina Essequibo, Region 2; Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, Region Five; and Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam, Region Six.