We have a qualified group of personnel who have a reputation of handling matters and providing innovative solutions specifically meant to meet our client’s legal, personal and commercial needs. Our success is reflected in the demand of our product and the client base which we have built and continue to build. Our clients are diverse and we cover the whole of Zimbabwe. We act for corporate, banks,
private and public institutions, bodies, unions and individuals. Ours is to provide legal services for all at affordable rates. Allied Legal Aid Society has branches countrywide and a national legal call centre, complemented by a highly experienced team of legal advisors. We also have a panel of independent attorneys who work closely with us to assist members with their cases. Our independent attorneys are experienced in all branches of law being civil, criminal, labour, family law, constitutional law etc. BACKGROUND
Allied Legal Aid Society was founded in 2011 through a National Deed of Trust. It goes without saying that high legal fees may deprive you of your legal rights through lack of representation. We believe you need to be represented in all legal issues that you face. Allied Legal Aid Society will ensure that your rights are protected no matter where you are and no matter what case you are facing. The Society has various objectives and activities which include the creation of a capital reserve which can be used by beneficiaries to engage legal practitioners in Zimbabwe to protect their rights. OBJECTIVES
• To receive contributions from members and create base from which payments shall be made to legal practitioners of their choice who will have undertaken work at the specific instance of and instructions of their members.
• To ensure and guarantee the provision of quality legal aid to the members of society.
• To cushion the members of the Society against the ever escalating legal fees.
• To create a capital base which will be available to members to finance litigation involving members
• To advance and promote awareness to members of the high advantages of secured legal aid.
• To strive to prevent the social distress and disadvantages accompanied with the lack of legal assistance in the opinion of the Trustees, are likely to further the interest of the Trustees. VISION
Our vision is to assist citizens of Zimbabwe easy access to legal representation by mobilizing resources at affordable rates
MISSION
To be a leading and preferred provider of quality, professional legal assistance, ensuring effective access to justice for every member, in an independent and caring manner
VALUES
• Transparency
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Training
• Flexibility
• Accountability
• Corporate social responsibilities
OUR GOALS
To be the leading Legal Aid Society in Zimbabwe that provides fast and efficient service to the generality of all Zimbabweans. OUR PRODUCT
We live in a world full of challenges and everyday is unpredictable. People are doing everything to survive and this may lead to unexpected consequences. Our product is there to protect you in the event of any eventualities. BENEFITS STRUCTURE
Allied Legal Aid Society is currently using two models of legal aid service delivery.
• In the staff lawyer model, lawyers are employed directly by legal aid society to work exclusively on our client’s cases.
• In private lawyer model we give our clients the option to have a lawyer of their choice
Allied Legal Aid Society has two lines of business namely:
• Individual scheme benefits
• Corporate/ Group Scheme Benefits:
INDIVIDUAL SCHEME
The purpose of legal aid to individuals is to ensure that low-income individuals have access to the justice system. Legal aid services are provided in two main areas of law for individuals and family pack: criminal and civil law. Legal services covered by legal aid are specified in legislation and include family matters, child protection, representation for young offenders, criminal charges, benefits claims in relation to income support or employment assistance, vehicle insurance, employment insurance, and workers compensation. No restrictions are placed on the type of family law matters that may be covered. CRIMINAL LIABILITY
In criminal matters, it is usually the state prosecuting the defendant before a magistrate, or a judge and jury in the court. The basic assumption in criminal liability is that there is both a mental element and physical element to the offence. For example, theft involves “dishonesty” which is a question of mental attitude and “appropriating” which is a physical act. The burden of proof for criminal offences is that of ‘beyond reasonable doubt”. As a self actor, without legal representation it is difficult for an individual to prove his or her innocence, cross examine or argue his/her case. Failure to do so will result in either a fine or imprisonment. This has been as a matter of public policy to make it possible to obtain convictions which otherwise would be very difficult. The penalties for criminal offences are fines and imprisonment, as well as other non custodial punishments. CIVIL LIABILITY
Civil liability gives a person rights to obtain redress from another person e.g. the liability to sue for damages for personal injury. There is also the right to obtain an injunction. For there to an award for damages, the injured party should have suffered an actual loss, be it personal injury,, damage to property, or financial loss. The burden of proof is “the balance of probability” which is much lower than for criminal matters. If there has been a relevant criminal conviction in a particular matter, then the burden of proof in any related civil action is reversed, so that the defendant has to prove he is not liable. An example of this would be a conviction of a company for breach of health and safety legislation, followed by the injured employee suing the company for damages for personal injury. A disincentive to suing is that the losing party pays the winner costs. In fact, this works out as a substantial proportion of the costs, rather than 100%, so a successful plaintiff has his award for damages diminished in practical terms. As a matter of public policy, it is not possible to have an enforceable insurance policy in relation to criminal penalties. CORPORATE SCHEMES
Allied Legal Aid Society cooperate with top-end clients during professional career, including medium to large companies engaged in manufacturing, trading and professional services, multi-nationals, government agencies, international banks, telecom operators, energy providers, private clients, large auditing firms and international organizations. Listed below are areas of work in which ALLIED LEGAL AID has a network of lawyers with significant expertise and expertise and experience to assist and represent you in:
• Corporate and commercial laws
• Business entry, strategies and implementation
• Information Technology Law, including computer, internet and Ecommerce laws, telecommunications and technology laws
• Banking and Finance Laws and regulations
• Joint ventures, creation and exit
• Direct and indirect Taxation Laws and Tax planning, including international Taxation and transfer pricing
• Securities Laws and Capital Markets
• Contracts; Drafting and Negotiation
• Real Estate and property
• Employment Laws
• Government and Regulatory Affairs and Approvals
• Customs Laws and Laws, including Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights and designs
• Representation before judicial, quasi-judicial, government and regulatory authorities
• Anti-trust and Competition Laws
• Litigation
• Bankruptcy and liquidation
• In the field of energy and infrastructure, Allied Legal Aid Society associated lawyers provide advice in construction and operation of power plants, privatization of existing state facilities in the energy sector and development of energy projects. In addition, we gained experience in providing legal support to stakeholders in Transport, infrastructure construction, utilities and public projects including construction of bridges and roads. More concretely, Allied Legal Aid Society assists clients with:
• Various Real Estate and other matters in connection with operations and construction and facilities.
• A number of Real- Estate related acquisitions and projects.
• Various issues pertaining to investment in the energy sector in the region.
• Negotiations with various investors regarding site development and construction facilities.
• Acquisition of real estate property and construction of warehouse and other facilities.
• Contract matters.
• In the field of Banking and Finance, Allied Legal Aid Society provides advice on all legal aspects and real estate finance. We assist clients in navigating heavily regulated banking and foreign exchange areas, and providing advice in introducing new solutions in developing local capital markets more concretely. Allied Legal Aid Society cover:
• Preparation for legal allegiance reports, drafting sale and purchase agreements regarding acquisition of real estate property, drafting construction agreements, co investment agreements and other relevant documentation.
• Credits, securities, drafting of contracts, competition, customs, taxes and general trade matters.
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• In the Corporate sector, Allied Legal Aid Society expertise covers a wide range of corporate and transactional work, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, takeover bids, management buyouts, joint ventures, privatization, etc, more concretely,
Allied Legal Aid Society covers:
• Privatization
• Merging
• Daily corporate law issues
• In the field of telecommunications, media and technology Allied Legal Aid Society serves as legal advisors in privatization of telecom incumbents in the region. We also help private equity funds establish alternative telecom networks
