The Subordinate Courts is trying to work out a scheme with the Law Society and the Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore (ACLS) to see how more of such accused people, where eligible, can have a lawyer represent them for free.

The courts will also implement schemes to extend legal and welfare services to the poor, the lowly educated and the intellectually handicapped to make sure their legal rights are protected.

One of the main changes in the works is to get legal help for more accused people in the Community Court, which handled 1,971 cases last year, of which about 63 per cent were not represented.

This court, set up in 2006 to deal with cases involving young or mentally ill accused people, was expanded last year to deal with all cases involving those below 21, and cases of shop theft.

It currently refers accused people to lawyers assigned through the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme under the Law Society, and if they are not eligible, then the ACLS is contacted to provide free representation for cases involving the needy.

This leads to a time lag and may affect those who cannot afford bail.

Under the new move, such referrals will be made to the Law Society's Pro Bono Services Office, which will act as the coordinating centre for all pro bono assignments.

Currently, only two people in the Community Court each day are provided with legal aid.

ACLS vice-president Peter Fernando said the association has always been forthcoming in providing help in the Community Court, and will work with the Law Society to move things forward.

Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.