Publication

This paper describes and documents the origins, evolution, strategy and impact of the Paralegal Advisory Service (PAS) in Malawi. The author argues that PAS is significant not only because its model has been adapted across Africa and more recently in Bangladesh, but because it represents a low-cost method of providing effective legal advice and assistance for ordinary people in conflict with criminal law. The author concludes with the recommendation that donor agencies should not pursue an uncritical strategy but hold national governments accountable to principles of good governance.