The creation of Community Paralegal Teams (CPLTs) is hinged on the premise that laws are created to protect the rights of citizens and the public interest. Economic or social status should not be a hindrance to the enjoyment of such rights. However, in order for the law to be genuinely effective it must be understood by those whose rights it aims to protect. The CPLT tool trains local people in how to gather information and document evidence to build a legal case to defend their rights over land and natural resources. The work of these young, highly motivated and trained paralegal community members has resulted in many successful outcomes including, amongst others, the withdrawal of a mining company from community lands
Notes
"A 'legal tools for citizen empowerment' publication."
Online resource; title from PDF cover (viewed October 8, 2012)
