Lawyers must render 60 hours of pro bono work every 3 years under new SC rules | ABS-CBN
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Lawyers must render 60 hours of pro bono work every 3 years under new SC rules
Lawyers must render 60 hours of pro bono work every 3 years under new SC rules
A bar examinee reacts to the results of the 2022 Bar Examination as they were announced at the Supreme Court compound on April 14, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The Supreme Court is requiring lawyers to render at least 60 hours of pro bono legal aid for indigent Filipinos every three years under its new Rules on Unified Legal Aid Service or ULAS.
MANILA — The Supreme Court is requiring lawyers to render at least 60 hours of pro bono legal aid for indigent Filipinos every three years under its new Rules on Unified Legal Aid Service or ULAS.
The rules provide that any person who lacks means to afford legal services may be a qualified beneficiary.
The rules provide that any person who lacks means to afford legal services may be a qualified beneficiary.
The high court said pro bono legal aid services can come in many forms such as representation in court, legal counseling, drafting legal documents, developmental legal assistance and participation in accredited legal outreach programs.
The high court said pro bono legal aid services can come in many forms such as representation in court, legal counseling, drafting legal documents, developmental legal assistance and participation in accredited legal outreach programs.
A qualified beneficiary will also be exempted from payment of docket and other court fees.
A qualified beneficiary will also be exempted from payment of docket and other court fees.
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"The legal service itself will be free for such qualified beneficiary and the necessary expenses for the rendering of the service will be borne by the Court thru the ULAS Fund, which will be set up for this purpose," the court said.
"The legal service itself will be free for such qualified beneficiary and the necessary expenses for the rendering of the service will be borne by the Court thru the ULAS Fund, which will be set up for this purpose," the court said.
The ULAS Rules also allow lawyers to extend financial contributions to the ULAS Fund instead of performing pro bono legal aid service.
The ULAS Rules also allow lawyers to extend financial contributions to the ULAS Fund instead of performing pro bono legal aid service.
The ULAS Board, which will be appointed by the Supreme Court, will issue a schedule of rates per hour for purposes of the financial contributions.
The ULAS Board, which will be appointed by the Supreme Court, will issue a schedule of rates per hour for purposes of the financial contributions.
"However, the financial contribution may only cover a maximum of 50% of the minimum hours required," the SC said.
"However, the financial contribution may only cover a maximum of 50% of the minimum hours required," the SC said.
Benefits for compliant lawyers include tax incentives under existing laws while those who fail to meet the minimum hours may be fined or listed as a delinquent member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
Benefits for compliant lawyers include tax incentives under existing laws while those who fail to meet the minimum hours may be fined or listed as a delinquent member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
The ULAS Rules do not cover lawyers prohibited from engaging in private practice such as those who are employed in the judiciary, lawyers who have at least 35 years of practice or who are 60 years old and those with certain disabilities.
The ULAS Rules do not cover lawyers prohibited from engaging in private practice such as those who are employed in the judiciary, lawyers who have at least 35 years of practice or who are 60 years old and those with certain disabilities.
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