Social Assistance and Legal Aid in Botswana

Abstract

This paper considers social assistance rendered to indigent persons in various forms in Botswana. It considers and explores the role of Legal Aid Botswana and that played by the University of Botswana Legal Clinic. Although the role of the Legal Aid Botswana is significant and extensive in coverage, it has a limitation in that it does not generally cover criminal matters. An attempt is made in the paper to explore other methods of assistance to indigent clients. The role of Non Governmental organisations is also explored. Legal Aid programmes linked to University law clinic in South Africa are considered for comparative purposes.