SC OKs unified legal aid service manual, reinforcing lawyers’ pro bono obligations

The Supreme Court has officially approved the Manual on the Rules on Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS), a key document that supports the implementation of the ULAS Rules which took effect on February 3, 2025. 

These rules require lawyers covered under the program to render at least 60 hours of free legal aid within a three-year cycle, helping individuals who cannot afford legal representation.

The Manual, which was greenlit by the Court en banc on April 8, provides both legal professionals and prospective beneficiaries with practical guidance. It outlines procedures, required forms, and compliance mechanisms meant to ensure smooth implementation of the new pro bono policy.

What it covers

The Manual sets clear instructions for lawyers, including the requirement to create accounts on the upcoming ULAS Portal—an online system that will serve as the central hub for submitting legal aid reports, requests, and documentation.

In lieu of full service hours, lawyers may choose to contribute financially to the ULAS Fund, up to 50% of their obligation, provided the payment is completed within the required period. Those who do render services may apply for reimbursements for expenses like travel and document printing, subject to available funds and ULAS Office approval.

Who can get free legal help?

Individuals in need of assistance may qualify in two ways: either by being appointed a counsel de officio through a court or tribunal order (a standard template is included in the Manual), or by applying as an indigent beneficiary.

To qualify as indigent, applicants must submit a completed declaration form, supporting documents when available, and undergo an interview with a lawyer to determine eligibility.

Oversight and administration

The ULAS Board, tasked with overseeing the initiative, will be chaired by an incumbent Supreme Court justice and include representatives from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Governing Board, the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS), and private practitioners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

To manage the transition phase, the Court has named Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa to head the Interim ULAS Board, alongside IBP President Antonio C. Pido, MCLE Chair Dean Sedfrey M. Candelaria, PALS President Dean Teodoro A. Pastrana, and lawyers Karl Arian A. Castillo, Patricia-Ann T. Prodigalidad, and Tranquil Gervacio S. Salvador III. Their term runs until the end of 2025.

Wider access to legal aid

In coordination with the Department of Justice Action Center, IBP, and PALS, the Court aims to expand access to legal services, including court representation, legal advice, document preparation, and participation in outreach activities.

The Manual was shaped through a series of public consultations held nationwide in 2024 and is set to take effect 15 days after its official publication on May 15, either in the Official Gazette or two major newspapers.

While the ULAS Portal and Office are still in the works, lawyers may already begin providing free legal services to eligible individuals, keeping proper documentation for future submission. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News