The Namibia Paralegal Association was set up in 2002 as an association of community-based paralegal volunteers who had completed a paralegal training program from 1998 - 2001. Their training has since been followed by refresher courses on different laws. These paralegals were trained as part of Community Paralegal Volunteer Training, an outreach project of the Legal Assistance Centre Windhoek Namibia, is to ensure access to justice to needy and marginalized people living in remote communities.

Namibia’s laws and constitution are largely considered to be forward-thinking, however, with an estimated nine out of ten Namibians unable to afford legal services, and Namibia being one of the most unequal countries in the world according to the Gini co-efficient, human rights abuses continue to be rife. This project was born in response to that.

Today this work continues to be the main thrust of the NPA’s activities and is known our Justice_Outreach work.The NPA’s paralegals are trained Namibian volunteers. They go out into the community offering legal services and advice and ensuring that if (and when) people in these communities need legal help, they have someone to turn to. Justice Outreach services are offered for free to people who cannot afford them and have become an essential link to justice for many people.

The NPA has also been involved in community sensitization projects. We believe that people who are aware of their rights are less vulnerable, more empowered, and better able to take control of their lives.

Communities need to be informed of their rights and of issues that affect them—for instance, recently passed laws such as the combating of Rape act, Combating of Domestic Violence Act, and the Maintenance Act. Such laws have a profound impact on the lives of the most vulnerable people in Namibian society, and it is essential that these people become aware of them and what they mean with regards to their rights.

Our paralegals have also been known to get involved with other different community projects, such as literacy programmes.

The NPA works with other stakeholders in Namibian society such as the Office of the Ombudsman, as we strive to bring about positive change. In the past this has lead to the development of different projects aimed at empowering disadvantaged sectors of Namibian society.  We are very proud of these projects and of our partnerships and we look to the future with optimism.

Our board

The Executive Committee for 2011/2012 is comprised of the following members: