site.btaJustice Minister Orders Audit at National Legal Aid Bureau

Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev has ordered an internal audit at the National Legal Aid Bureau (NLAB) to review the spending of funds and the reporting process, the Justice Ministry press centre said on Sunday.

“A few months ago, I firmly stated that any increase in funding for legal aid must go hand in hand with reform and process optimization. I expect to see exactly that from the Bureau’s leadership, a clear plan for reform, improved cooperation with the bar associations, and transparent financial management that adheres to the highest standards of accountability and control,” Georgiev is quoted as saying in the press release.

The NLAB organizes legal aid across the country in cooperation with the bar councils. It is an independent public body and a legal entity funded from the state budget. It acts as a second-level budget spending unit under the Minister of Justice.