Lusaka Legal Advice Centres

Lusaka, a vast and populous city with the dual status of a capital and province, is home to some 7 community based advice centres of the Legal Resources Foundation. These are located in Chaisa, Chawama, Chilenje, Matero, Mtendere, Kanyama and Kaunda Square. The centres are accessed by the residents of these areas, as well as by neighbouring communities. Cases emanating from the centres are passed on to lawyers based at the chambers for various legal action.

During the year under review 12,884 cases were recorded at the nine centres out of which 632 were referred to lawyers by the paralegals, of which some 291 were taken to court. A further 126 cases were referred directly to the LRF main office by NGOs, the Human Rights Commission, and other agencies. Legal redress was appropriate in cases of gross violations and these were litigated in court. Up to around 40% of the case referred to the Chambers were settled out of court through mediation and negotiation while others cases are still pending.

A significant bulk of cases came from the prison visitation programme and referrals from other organisations of which some deserving cases were channelled to lawyers for litigation.

Overall the most accessed centre both in the zone and nation-wide was Kaunda Square with a record of 1983 cases followed by Chawama with 1793, Kanyama with 1480, Matero with 1398, Mtendere with 1221, Chaisa with 1215 and Chilenje with 880 cases.

Consolidated Summary of Cases Handled
The Foundation throughout its seven provincial centres combined handled a total of 16 737 cases during the year 2001. The most prominent complaints of the cases received were labour related at 3 603 cases. Matrimonial cases handled numbered 1777, while 1205 maintenance cases were dealt with. There were 1143 Terminal benefits claims, and 1141 cases of non-employment Breach of Contract. Miscellaneous consultations numbered 1118, whereas intestate succession cases were 1 101. For the rest see (the statistical breakdown below).

Among the total number of cases recorded 12 540 were competently resolved by paralegals, lawyers received 630 cases while 1486 remained pending. Others cases were referred as follows; High Court; 50, Industrial Relations Court; 80, Magistrate Courts; 260 and Local Courts 609 cases. Other Government agencies received 418 referrals, local government authorities 68, churches 121, legal practitioners 76, while the Police Victim Support Unit had 355 cases referred to them, Hospital and Clinics 24, no case or prescribed 22.