A total of 934,947 people across the country were provided with legal assistance at government expense through the National Legal Aid Services Organisation (NLASO) from 2009 to November 2022.
The information has been revealed in a report published on the website of NLSO.
During the period, a total of 22,521 people got legal aid through the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office while 145,338 through the 64 District Legal Aid Offices, 19,784 through Dhaka and Chattogram Labour Legal Aid Cells and 149,818 through the government national helpline call center '16430' (toll-free).
According to the report, 169,706 cases, out of 341,452 seeking legal aids, were deposed of.
Besides, a total of 74,105 alternative dispute resolution initiatives were taken while beneficiaries of these initiatives were 135,459, it said.
Before setting up the national helpline call center, 17,328 people got the legal aid services through the hotline. About Taka 117.15 crore was realized by 64 district legal aid offices and Chattogram Labour Legal Aid Cells as compensation, the report added.
It said 102,045 imprisoned people were given the legal aid services through 64 district committees from 2012 to November 2022.
The report also said that the legal aid service is given to insolvent justice-seekers at government expense at the High Court and the Supreme Court Appellate Division, all lower courts and labour courts across the country.
Eligibility of minority ethnic groups to get legal aid in the apex court of the country is ensured in the Legal Aid Policy, it said.
The Awami League-led government enacted the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000 to provide legal assistance at government expense to the financially insolvent, helpless and incapable people seeking justice.
The AL government enacted the law in 2000, but the subsequent governments did not take initiative to make the law effective.
After winning the national election held on December 29, 2008, the Awami League took various steps to ensure justice for the poor, helpless and indigent people and it continues to do so.