PERSONS ENTITLED TO LEGAL AID AND ASCERTAINMENT OF ‘MEANS’ UNDER LEGAL AID ACT,2011

 Generally, Legal Aid is the provision of assistance to people who are unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Legal aid is regarded as central in providing access to justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel and fair trial.

The Legal Aid Council receives financial assistance from the government on behalf of the indigent citizens to prosecute their claims. Individual practitioners also give legal aid by carrying out pro bono cases, etc.

The Council can engaged the service of Legal Practitioners, NYSC legal aid CDS (serving Lawyers), Law clinics, NGOs and Paralegal to deal with cases for individuals who are entitled to legal aid.

WHO IS ENTITLED TO LEGAL AID?

According to section 10 of the Legal Aid Act, 2011, legal aid is granted only to persons whose income does not exceed to the national minimum wage. But there are exceptional cases where persons whose income exceeds the national minimum wage can receive legal aid on a contributory grounds, in such circumstances, expenses incurred can be recovered and the 10 percent of the damages and costs awarded. The Council is under obligation to refund the person his contribution to the trial.  

Note that the Council shall not be liable to pay costs awarded against the person receiving legal aid service.

HOW TO ASCERTAIN MEANS OF THE PERSON

Means test is a very vital formula designed in determination of whether an individual is eligible for legal assistance.  It is a guide under Legal Aid Act, 2011 for billing a person for legal aid service.

To ascertain the ‘means’ of that person, all you need to do is to take into account the person’s income, personal and real property then deduct his commitments (family obligations, etc) from it, the remainder is his ‘Means’.

How to deal with Addiction

 We have different types of addiction, it includes the followings: 

• Sex addiction;
• Porn/Internet addiction;
• Drugs/Alcoholic  addiction;
• Attention addiction(both adults and babies);
• Food addiction; and
• Shopping addiction, etc.

Overcoming an addiction takes time, it is war within ourselves, and we have to be brave. Try the following steps:

• Think of all the troubles your addictions have/will cause you!
• Talk to someone who can help you, also, there are professionals out there who can help you deal with your addiction.
• Before the temptation hits you, there is usually a triggering event, we experience something uncomfortable. The mind then seeks to escape that discomfort by resorting to the relief brought upon by the addictive behavior. Take a moment to think and write down what your trigger(s) are, and the next time you find yourself in a trigger situation, be alert and face it courageously.
• Believe in yourself. You can do it.
• Do not obsess over it.
• Every addiction has a root cause, take a moment to think what yours could be.
• Very important, do not judge the addiction as bad, sinful, time-waster, etc. It is what it is, just an action. Judging an action as bad, unhealthy or unproductive is probably what made you get addicted in the first place, judgment makes you feel guilty about your past and reinforces the addiction.

For instance, if you have food addiction,try your best to know thus:
-why you eat - hunger, loneliness, inability to deal with your emotions,
-when you eat most- morning, breaks, at night and
-how you eat - slowly, while watching tv , Gisting with friend or working ... etc.

Then know  whether your food choices support the idea of health you hope to have now and in 3 months time and in 10 years time, it depends on what you want.

Note that a good way to start eating well is to add one good habit at a time and take one away at a time...(I can testify to that)E.g. Tell yourself that I will eat 2-3 portions of vegetables every day this month or I will walk for 10 minutes and go home. Try so hard to make it happen, this is where discipline comes in. 

Most people with weight problems underestimate the calories in food and overestimate its nutritional content so maybe you can advice yourself on that to.

Proper nutrition can give you an 'Exquisite Look' like Ebube Nwagbo. Eating healthy and making healthy food choices results in a much better lifestyle

1. Benefit of proper nutrition. This doesn't mean starving yourself rather eating a balanced in lean proteins, carbs and fats. Benefits includes:

•  Heart health( A diet low in fat,cholesterol and sodium can lower your risk of heart disease);

•  Bone and teeth strength (A diet rich in calcium keeps your bones and teeth strong and helps prevent bone loss associated with osteoporosis); 

• Energy(Eliminating excess fats, sugar and refined carbohydrates helps prevent blood sugar fluctuations); 

• Brain health( proper nutrition increases blood flow to your brain,protecting brain cells and helping to prevent Alzheimer's disease); and 

• Weight Control/ Self confidence (To prevent weight gain, you must eat no more calories than you burn each day, shedding excess pounds reduces your risk of obesity-related conditions such as type-2 diabetes, clogged arteries and thyroid dysfunction).

Classy Look is Godliness...Check out this amazing ladies.

Gorgeous Debys

Elegant Chio ( Dress designed by her)

Adorable Maureen

Fashionista Pat

Beautiful Akudo

Elegant Pat

                                                                    First Lady

Slaying Onyi

Pretty Juliet

MY Amazing,Godly &Classy Mama

Gorgeous mama

Fashionista Lade

Adorable and sweet

Lovely smile makes you classy

Exquisite Look

Finest chic

My WCW

Beautiful Loveth

sweet and adorable

M & J's day. 18/2/17 a memorable day indeed!

This is the first event and fashion focus on this blog. MERCY EUGENE is my amiable, sweet,caring and kind friend-turned sister. A fashonista,a  slaying bride and a wife. SUPER GORGEOUS SLAYING QUEENBRIDE & KINGGROOM." Be excited"

For Lawyers only

Check out the content of the document attached for further directions on how you can get involved to the shaping of the future of the Legal Profession.