Legal Aid South Africa derives its from section 35 of the Constitution. In terms of this section, every person who is arrested, detained or accused has a right to a fair trial, which includes the right to have a legal practitioner assigned by the State and at State expense.
Legal Aid South Africa's role is to provide legal aid to those who cannot afford their own legal representation. The of the Legal Aid South Africa is to provide legal aid to as many poor people as possible, including vulnerable groups such as women, children and the rural poor.
It does this in an independent and impartial manner with the intention of enhancing justice and public confidence in the law and administration of justice.
Put differently, the role of the Legal Aid South Africa is to facilitate poor people's access to justice in relation to the issues which most concern and affect their livelihood.