Pro bono and legal aid: expanding access to justice in Lao PDR

Promoting pro bono legal services as a vital pathway to justice, the Second National Pro Bono and Legal Aid Conference brought together more than 200 participants from across Lao PDR on 17–18 September 2026. Organised by the Ministry of Justice of Lao PDR and the Lao Bar Association, and supported by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg through the Rule of law, access to justice, and good governance (ROLAG) programme, the conference strengthened national cooperation to expand pro bono and legal aid services, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged people who may otherwise face barriers to accessing justice.

The conference was chaired by H.E. Sisuda SOPHAVANDY, Vice Minister of Justice, and co-chaired by Mr Thomas LAMMAR, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Luxembourg to Lao PDR.

Building on the first National Pro Bono and Legal Aid Conference in 2024, the event placed particular emphasis on strengthening a culture of pro bono service within the legal profession and reinforcing its complementary role alongside the national legal aid system. Participants reviewed progress, shared provincial experiences and good practices, and identified practical measures to improve the quality, accessibility and reach of legal assistance.

Opening the conference, H.E. Sisuda SOPHAVANDY emphasised that the second conference builds on the achievements and action plans of 2024 while expanding participation across justice institutions, the Lao Women’s Union, the Lao Bar Association and the provinces. She highlighted the conference as an important platform for exchanging experiences, strengthening coordination and advancing legal aid nationwide.

Mr Thomas LAMMAR highlighted the tangible results of Luxembourg’s partnership with Lao PDR:

The conference reaffirmed that pro bono services are more than professional goodwill. They are an important contribution by the legal profession to equal access to justice. By mobilising lawyers, justice institutions and partners, pro bono services can complement public legal aid and help ensure that vulnerable people are not denied justice because they cannot afford legal assistance.

Poverty, vulnerability, social disadvantage or geography should never prevent a person from obtaining the legal support they need. The government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will continue to support Lao PDR in strengthening the rule of law and expanding access to justice.

The ROLAG programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and jointly implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Justice, LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, ILSTA and the University of Luxembourg.