MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has required new lawyers to render

free legal services to indigent litigants in a bid to boost public accessibility to

courts.

In a 14-page order published in The STAR yesterday, the high court set the new
requirement that will apply to law graduates who will hurdle the bar exams next
month and take their oath next year.

Under the new rule, lawyers starting from the next batch who will take their oath
next year are required to provide at least 120 hours of free legal services for
poor litigants as part of implementation of the constitutional guarantee to “free
access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies.”

“The legal profession is imbued with public interest. As such, lawyers are charged
with the duty to give meaning to the guarantee of access to adequate legal
assistance under Article III, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution,” read the order.

“As a way to discharge this constitutional duty, lawyers are obliged to render pro
bono services to those who otherwise would be denied access to adequate legal
services,” it stressed.

The SC said lawyers must ensure people’s access to legal services “in an efficient
and convenient manner compatible with the independence, integrity and effectiveness
of the profession.”

Advertising

Scroll to continue
Apart from indigent litigants, the new lawyers may also render free services to
groups, individuals and organizations that cannot get the services of the Public
Attorney’s Office due to conflict of interest and on legal issues involving public
interests.

The SC stressed the rule was not intended to prevent the successful bar passers
from using their profession for their own pecuniary interests.

The SC also clarified the new lawyers will not be barred from practicing and
accepting paying clients during the period of compliance to the new requirement.

“Barring any conflict of interest or any other violation of the Code of

Professional Responsibility, covered lawyers can engage in private practice and
accept paid clients or be employed in the government or in the private sector
within the twelve-month period for compliance,” it stressed.

Exempted from the new rule are those already working in the executive and
legislative branches six months before they hurdled the bar exams.

They will be exempted from the requirement and also those who have finished the
“clinical legal education program” and have rendered free legal work prior to their
admission to the bar.

The new rule, promulgated or approved by the full court last Oct. 10, covers
criminal, civil and administrative cases.
The SC tasked its Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC) and the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines for the implementation of the new rule dubbed as “Community Legal Aid
Service Rule.”

The new lawyers are required to complete the 120 hours of free legal services
within one year after signing the roll of attorneys next year.

However, they may ask the OBC for up to two years extension to comply with the
requirement by presenting valid and justifiable reason.

SPONSORED ARTICLES

Globe donates preloaded mobile phones to frontliners

BUSINESS April 8, 2020 - 3:00pm

Meralco powers COVID-19 treatment centers

BUSINESS April 8, 2020 - 9:54am

VCDC: Building strength in the time of COVID-19 crisis

LIFESTYLE BUSINESS April 7, 2020 - 3:40pm

Want to win P9 billion playing Powerball? You don’t have to fly to the US!
BUSINESS April 3, 2020 - 4:35pm

How to stay healthy by choosing what #FillsGood

HEALTH AND FAMILY March 30, 2020 - 3:00pm

Retail warriors share stories of resilience

LIFESTYLE BUSINESS March 30, 2020 - 11:00am

Access free e-learning for children during enhanced community quarantine

HEALTH AND FAMILY March 30, 2020 - 10:00am

SM Supermalls waives tenant rentals nationwide

BUSINESS March 19, 2020 - 3:40pm

Hisense launches first 100-inch 4K Laser TV in Philippines

GADGETS March 19, 2020 - 10:39am