![Acting Director of Legal Aid Commission Shahin Ali. [image: File]](https://www.fijivillage.com/news_images/7846631615fa4cf519720912dd6040.jpg)
The Acting Director of Legal Aid Commission, Shahin Ali has refuted claims made by Tamavua landlord, Urvendra Sharma that when Sharma had approached the Commission, he was told to go to the Nasinu Magistrates Court.
Ali says Sharma was never told to go to the Nasinu Magistrates Court and such a claim is misleading.
He says their records show that Sharma visited the Legal Aid Commission’s Nasinu Office on Tuesday to seek legal assistance. Ali says Sharma was served by staff and explained the application process, procedures, and requirements after which he was issued with documents which would assist him in formally applying.
The Acting Director says Sharma was also offered the services of free legal advice, however, he refused the same commenting that he did not require advice from Legal Aid Commission lawyers as he has a private legal practitioner from Suva after which he left the office.
Ali says records also show that Sharma then visited the Commission’s Suva head office on Wednesday, again seeking legal aid assistance. He says Sharma again left the office commenting that he has a private lawyer from Labasa who will be talking to the lawyers of the Legal Aid Commission regarding his case.
He says since then, Sharma has not visited the offices of the Legal Aid Commission nor has he formally applied.
Ali adds that through his own admission, Sharma has confirmed that he has at least 3 different private legal practitioners engaged to assist him, however, he is still welcome to apply as there is nothing stopping him from doing so.
Ali has also confirmed that the Legal Aid Commission’s policy mandates that no one can be stopped or discouraged from applying for legal aid assistance and that staff are well aware of this policy directive.
Since the matter is before the Court, Shahin Ali has refused to make any further comments on other claims made by Sharma.
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