In the 2024/25 judicial year, a total of 6,971 cases were handled with the support of pro bono lawyers under the Rwanda Bar Association (RBA), according to its president, Moise Nkundabarashi. The announcement was made as Rwanda launched the 2025/26 Judicial Year on September 1, when institutions in the justice chain presented their annual reports. Speaking to The New Times, Nkundabarashi highlighted that the total number of beneficiaries of the free legal services is 6,426. More than 3,700 beneficiaries were minors, while 1,743 people had cases in the Court of Appeal, including five transfers from foreign countries, cases involving Rwandans suspected of Genocide against the Tutsi. Pro bono lawyers also represented defendants in 38 terrorism cases. ALSO READ: Pro bono services: Did you know you can get legal representation in Rwanda, free of charge? Other categories included 561 people received directly at RBA during its Friday program, 27 gender-based violence (GBV) cases, 21 people with disabilities. How pro bono services work Pro bono services, derived from the Latin phrase pro bono publico (for the public good), refer to legal advice or representation provided free of charge by legal professionals in the public interest. They are intended for people, charities, or community groups unable to afford legal services or access legal aid. ALSO READ: Judiciary to focus on ADR, speedy, accessible justice in new year According to Nkundabarashi, people seeking pro bono support can visit the RBA headquarters in Kicukiro District, Kigali, every Friday. The legal aid committee reviews applications and determines eligibility. RBA also works with the Ministry of Justice to provide free legal representation for juvenile offenders nationwide. “In Rwanda, the law requires that no one can be tried in the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court without legal representation,” Nkundabarashi noted. For people in remote areas, assistance can be accessed via the toll-free line 2425. In the new year, the Bar is exploring a digital way to provide legal assistance without requiring people to travel to Kigali. In addition, since 2014, the Ministry of Justice has deployed Access to Justice Bureaus (MAJ) in every district, with three lawyers per bureau providing decentralized services. Cases and eligibility Pro bono services in Rwanda cover both criminal and civil cases, provided applicants demonstrate financial need. Local leaders may be required to confirm a person’s inability to pay legal fees. “Justice is non-discriminatory,” Nkundabarashi said. “As long as applicants prove they cannot afford legal representation, whether Rwandan or foreign, they qualify for pro bono services.” Nkundabarashi highlighted that while criminal cases make up the majority, civil cases are also handled under the programme. Over the past 15 years, pro bono lawyers have represented people in high-profile cases, including terrorism-related trials, with some defendants securing release.
