Systematization and impact evaluation of the Integrated Center for Mediation and Legal Aid 2016-2018

Abstract

The Salvadoran Constitution guarantees citizens the right to access justice, to which every person can go to a competent state body to present claims that lead to remedy a violation of human rights (Monge et al., 2016). Therefore, when the citizen does not receive this right, the Integrated Center for Mediation and Legal Aid fulfills a function for the population. The objective is to evaluate the impact that the Integrated Center for Mediation and Legal Aid has had on the beneficiary population during the 2016-2018 period. The mixed research approach was used, interviewing beneficiaries of the project, judges, entities of the Attorney General's Office and others involved in the development of the project, calculating the indicators through the data obtained in the documentary review. The Legal Aid began operating in 2009 and the Mediation Center was accredited in 2017; the work during this period has contributed to the care and timely advice to people who require services, speed of cases, monetary savings for people; Regarding mediation, an alternative form of conflict resolution has been disclosed. The main contribution of the Integrated Center for Mediation and Legal Assistance has been to collaborate in speeding up procedures in the Judicial System through the service provided by Legal Assistance.