Justice on the move: mobile legal clinics reach over 11,000 people in remote areas of Laos

Although access to justice is a fundamental right, many citizens living in isolated villages of the Lao PDR remain unaware of their right to free legal aid. To address this gap, the Rule of law, access to justice, and good governance (ROLAG) programme, implemented by LuxDev in close collaboration with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), has strengthened 32 legal aid offices providing free legal consultations through mobile legal clinics.

Access to justice is a fundamental right, yet for many people living in the remote corners of the Lao PDR, it has long remained an unattainable promise. Despite the existence of a national legal aid framework, limited resources have constrained the MoJ, along with Provincial and District Offices of Justice, from reaching out effectively to the people who need these services the most. As a result, thousands of citizens particularly those in isolated villages remain unaware of their right to free legal aid under the Legal Aid Decree or how to claim this support when faced with disputes or threats to their rights.

To address this gap, the ROLAG programme has taken bold steps to bring justice directly to the people. 32 legal aid offices in 5 provinces (Bokeo, Luang Namtha, Vientiane, Bolikhamxay, and Khammouane) have been strengthened to deliver mobile legal clinics and legal awareness campaigns right into the heart of communities.

Since January 2025, these mobile clinics have been traveling to 166 villages across 32 districts, aiming to reach over 11,000 people, with a particular focus on those in underserved and marginalised communities. 

In each village, trained legal aid officers provide free legal consultations, offer practical guidance on dispute resolution, and educate citizens about their legal rights and the justice system. Beyond resolving individual cases, these clinics are building trust in justice institutions, empowering communities, and showing people that the law can be a tool for protection, not just an instrument of authority.

This initiative reflects the strong commitment of the MoJ, supported by the ROLAG programme, to expanding legal aid coverage nationwide. It marks a significant step toward ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of justice in Laos. 

The ROLAG programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and jointly implemented by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education and Sports, LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, ILSTA and the University of Luxembourg.