Legal Aid Institute welcomes newcomers

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute welcomed 16 apprentices, all newcomers to the practice of law, to the organization yesterday.

The novices have been appointed to positions as lawyers' assistants for a maximum of one year.

Luhut M. Pangaribuan, the institute's director, presided over the initiation. He said he expected the interns to better understand the merits of serving society though voluntary labor in the practice of law.

"In little ways each of you have contributed a great deal by being here. On the other hand, don't be complacent and think that you have accomplished a great deal by working here," Luhut told the novices at the institute's office in Central Jakarta.

"Good lawyers are those who devote their vocation to serve society and not themselves," Luhut added.

The new interns, comprising newly graduated law students or those in their last stages of study before earning a law degree, participated in the program for different purposes.

Some consider it an opportunity to learn before they actually put their feet onto the precarious ground of law practice and fulfill their financial needs.

Others said they wanted to serve society at large, particularly those who are ignorant of the law.

During the same ceremony six participants who had served at the institute for a year were released.

Most considered their experience with the institute to have been of great benefit.

"Though I have learned a great deal, now I realize how much more I needed to know," Christina Rini told The Jakarta Post, disclosing that she also had applied for a permanent position at the institute.

Another young lawyer who joined last year's program, Saor Charles, said that his experience had been extremely challenging at times.

"I persisted because of my commitment to the cause of defending the weaker ones in our society, given the limitations in the practice of law in this country" Saor said.

Twelve lawyers are currently employed at the institute which handles an average of 2,000 cases every year, Luhut said. (14)