The Supreme Court (SC) has approved the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) Rules, which will lead the mandatory provision of pro bono legal services by lawyers to the poor and other eligible beneficiaries.
SC spokesperson Camille Sue Ting announced that the justices approved the Rules during their regular en banc session on August 20.
The Unified Legal Aid Service Rules will govern the mandatory provision of pro bono legal aid services by covered lawyers to qualified beneficiaries, particularly indigents, members of marginalized sectors concerning their public interest cases, and non-governmental and non-profit organizations dealing with cases that benefit the poor and marginalized.
Earlier, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo stated that the Unified Legal Aid Service Rules aim to establish a unified and streamlined framework for free legal aid services in the country.
He added that through the creation of these rules, the High Court hopes to provide the poor, underrepresented, and marginalized members of society with full and effective access to justice.