4<strong>Legal</strong> <strong>Aid</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Cambodia</strong>: <strong>Practices</strong>, <strong>Perceptions</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Needs</strong>A Study based on a National Survey1 INTRODUCTIONStrategic objective 4 of the Action Plan to implement the <strong>Legal</strong> <strong>and</strong> Judicial Reform Strategyof the Royal <strong>Cambodia</strong>n Government, approved on April 29, 2005, provides for theenhancement of legal processes <strong>and</strong> related services, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the provision of high qualitylegal aid services. This study, <strong>and</strong> the survey on which it is based, have been undertaken as ameans of meet<strong>in</strong>g this strategic objective.The study is conceived as contribut<strong>in</strong>g to the broad goal of strengthen<strong>in</strong>g exist<strong>in</strong>gmechanisms <strong>and</strong> establish<strong>in</strong>g new, relevant mechanisms for the enhancement of the rights ofthe <strong>in</strong>dividual, the separation of powers <strong>and</strong> the rule of law <strong>in</strong> <strong>Cambodia</strong>. More specifically itis designed to help meet the need for improved access to justice by <strong>Cambodia</strong>n’s poor.The overall objective of the study is to establish the nature <strong>and</strong> character of legal aid serviceprovision <strong>in</strong> <strong>Cambodia</strong>, <strong>and</strong> to clarify perceptions of legal aid <strong>and</strong> what it should consist of.Its f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs are <strong>in</strong>tended to <strong>in</strong>form decisions by the Royal Government <strong>and</strong> by the nongovernmentalsector, as well as by <strong>in</strong>terested donors <strong>and</strong> others, on improv<strong>in</strong>g legal aidservice provision <strong>in</strong> <strong>Cambodia</strong>.1.1. ACTIVITIES1.1.1 Background <strong>and</strong> documentation reviewA review was done of the historical background of legal aid <strong>in</strong> <strong>Cambodia</strong>, <strong>and</strong> ofdocumentation relat<strong>in</strong>g to legal aid <strong>in</strong> the country.1.1.2 Supply AnalysisAn analysis was done of the supply of legal aid <strong>in</strong> <strong>Cambodia</strong>. The analysis reviewed theorganizations <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> provid<strong>in</strong>g legal aid services <strong>in</strong> <strong>Cambodia</strong>, the prov<strong>in</strong>ces <strong>and</strong> otherareas be<strong>in</strong>g reached <strong>and</strong> by whom, the nature of legal aid services <strong>and</strong> how they are provided(e.g. through the use of volunteers, paralegals <strong>and</strong>/or qualified lawyers), the target populationsof legal aid providers, the nature of the fund<strong>in</strong>g of legal aid services, <strong>and</strong> the best ways ofimprov<strong>in</strong>g legal aid services.1.1.3 Dem<strong>and</strong> AnalysisAn analysis was also done of the needs of both legal aid providers <strong>and</strong> likely legal aid clients.It <strong>in</strong>cluded an assessment of the possibility of l<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g government services <strong>and</strong> other NGOservices with exist<strong>in</strong>g legal aid services.1.2. SURVEY MANAGEMENTThe Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Council of <strong>Legal</strong> <strong>and</strong> Judicial Reform (CLJR) ofthe Royal Government of <strong>Cambodia</strong> oversaw <strong>and</strong> organized the survey. It was supported bystaff of the Program on Rights <strong>and</strong> Justice (<strong>PRAJ</strong>) of the East-West Management Institute(EWMI), implement<strong>in</strong>g partner of USAID for human rights <strong>and</strong> rule of law <strong>in</strong>itiatives <strong>in</strong><strong>Cambodia</strong>. EWMI-<strong>PRAJ</strong> provided this support under the terms of the Memor<strong>and</strong>um ofUnderst<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g it signed with CLJR <strong>in</strong> 2005.
<strong>Legal</strong> <strong>Aid</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Cambodia</strong>: <strong>Practices</strong>, <strong>Perceptions</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Needs</strong> 5A Study based on a National SurveyThe CLJR PMU <strong>and</strong> EWMI put together a “Survey Management Team”. In consultation withkey stakeholders, the Survey Management Team oversaw the development <strong>and</strong> adm<strong>in</strong>istrationof survey research <strong>in</strong>struments, survey implementation <strong>and</strong> data analysis, as well as thewrit<strong>in</strong>g of this f<strong>in</strong>al study report <strong>and</strong> recommendations. They also assisted with theimplementation of projects aris<strong>in</strong>g from this process, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> surveyadm<strong>in</strong>istration.For the survey itself the Survey Management Team contracted an <strong>in</strong>dependent researchconsult<strong>in</strong>g group, Indoch<strong>in</strong>a Research Ltd (IRL), with assistance from EWMI-<strong>PRAJ</strong>. IRL is a<strong>Cambodia</strong>-based consultancy familiar with survey research <strong>and</strong> particularly with techniquesof statistical data collection <strong>and</strong> analysis, <strong>and</strong> the creation of topic-appropriate research<strong>in</strong>struments.2 METHODOLOGY2.1. STUDY DESIGNA cross–sectional <strong>and</strong> descriptive research design was employed that used both qualitative<strong>and</strong> quantitative approaches to data collection <strong>and</strong> analysis. Representatives of well-knownlegal aid providers <strong>and</strong> other NGOs as well as local government officials constituted the ma<strong>in</strong>study group of key stakeholders.2.2. GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE OF SURVEYThe survey covered five major regions of the country, from which a total of 16 prov<strong>in</strong>ceswere selected on the basis of size, available knowledge of local legal aid, <strong>and</strong> other localcharacteristics. The follow<strong>in</strong>g table gives details:Table 1: Regions <strong>and</strong> Prov<strong>in</strong>ces CoveredRegionProv<strong>in</strong>ces CoveredPlanesKampong Cham, Svay RiengTonle SapBattambang, Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchay, Odor Meanchay,PursatPhnom PenhPhnom Penh, K<strong>and</strong>alNortheast plateau <strong>and</strong> Kratie, Ratanakiri, Mondalkirimounta<strong>in</strong>CoastalKoh Kong, Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep2.3. SAMPLING CRITERIAThe ma<strong>in</strong> respondents <strong>in</strong> this survey were legal aid providers, clients <strong>and</strong> potential clients oflegal aid services, lawyers, relevant prov<strong>in</strong>cial, district <strong>and</strong> commune leaders, representativesof Government m<strong>in</strong>istries <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>stitutions with<strong>in</strong> the justice sector, representatives of relevantadm<strong>in</strong>istrative departments, members of the judiciary, court officials, <strong>and</strong> BAKC officials.To <strong>in</strong>crease the validity <strong>and</strong> reliability of <strong>in</strong>formation obta<strong>in</strong>ed from the basel<strong>in</strong>e <strong>and</strong> needsassessment survey, the selection of sampl<strong>in</strong>g units was carried out purposively. In this case, itwas decided that the best <strong>in</strong>formation would be obta<strong>in</strong>ed from clearly identified respondents,who were deemed to be familiar with legal aid service provision, policy <strong>and</strong> coverage.The selection of sampl<strong>in</strong>g units took <strong>in</strong>to account the follow<strong>in</strong>g factors (see Appendix A for alist of <strong>in</strong>terviewees):
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