Section 20, The Legal Aid Act, 2012

(1) Where the interest of justice so requires, an indigentwho is arrested ,detained or accused of a crime shall, subject to this Act, have access to– (a) legal advice and assistance; (b) legal representation, where the indigent's application for legal representation has been approved by the Board from the moment of his arrest until the final determination of the matter and subject to section 28, the appellate process. (2) Where the interest of justice so requires, an indigent who wishes to bring or defend a civil matter shall have access to- (a) legal advice and assistance; (b) legal representation, where the indigent's application for legal representation has been approved by the Board.