UPEL, established in 1936, is a non-governmental organisation that works to aid children who have had conflicts with the law, have witnessed a crime, or have been victims of violence in Lebanon. The Ministry of Justice contracts with UPEL pursuant to the Legislative Decree No. 422/2002 (13/6/2002). This law requires social workers to be in attendance during trials and preliminary investigations under penalty of nullity (decree legitimate 119 16/9/1983). This ensures social service to the juvenile courts, studies and addresses the protection of children at high risks, follows up judicial cases and investigations. UPEL has six offices in the Palaces of Justice in the Beirut, Baabda, Zahle, Tripoli, Saida and Nabatieh.