CELA provides those in need with legal aid, either by investigating their claim and linking them with a pro bono member lawyer if the matter calls for legal action, or by facilitating alternative dispute resolution between adverse parties. Member lawyers are legal practitioners in the community who volunteer their expertise to provide legal help to those who could not otherwise afford it.
Beyond this, CELA works in an advocacy capacity to improve the conditions of incarcerated individuals in Malawi. This includes implementing sponsored development programs such as prison facility improvement, administering meetings between development organizations, prison officials, and other stakeholders, and conducting community outreach and awareness raising of rights violations in Malawian prisons.