Page "Legal aid" Paragraph 16

According to PILnet: The Global Network for Public Interest Law ( PILnet ), ' for over a decade, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Russia have been in the process of reforming and restructuring their legal systems.

While many critical justice sector reforms have been undertaken throughout the region, the mechanisms to ensure individuals ' access to legal information and assistance often remain inadequate and ineffective.

Consequently, many people — especially those who are poor or otherwise disadvantaged — are left without any real access to legal counsel in both criminal and non-criminal matters '.