Free Legal Assistance Act of 2010

Image of Senator Lito Lapid, the main proponent of the Lapid Law.  It is taken from google.com.
Though this law was enacted in the year 2010, but majority of the people are not aware yet of its existence.  All what they knew was it is only the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) who provides them free legal services.  They are not yet aware of the fact that even Private Law Practitioners could provide them free legal assistance.

This is what Republic Act No. 9999 tells us.  The provision of free legal assistance to qualified citizens of the Philippines.  This act is also known as the LAPID LAW precisely because the main proponent of which was Senator Lito Lapid.

This act provides a mechanism for free legal assistance and for other purposes.

As provided for in this Act, the free legal services to be performed by a lawyer refer to any activity which requires the application of law, legal procedure, knowledge, training and experiences which shall include, among others, legal advice and counsel, and the preparation of instruments and contracts, including appearance before the administrative and quasi-judicial offices, bodies and tribunals handling cases in court, and other similar services as may be defined by the Supreme Court.

Thus, this free legal services shall include, but not limited to, legal advice and counsel, preparation of pleadings, preparation of documents and contracts, and as well as, representation before administrative and quasi-judicial offices, bodies and tribunals handling cases in court.

Of course not all the people could avail the free provision of legal services defined in this act.  Only those persons who cannot afford the services of a counsel are provided with a competent and independent counsel preferably of their choice.

In short, only those indigent persons who could avail the free legal services defined and provided for by this Act.

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