Where to Find a Free Lawyer In the Philippines

Legal services aren’t cheap nor should they be.

Lawyers are highly trained professionals that will do their best to protect your interests.

But a lot of Filipinos cannot afford legal services.

So we have prepared a handy guide for where to find legal services if you really cannot afford to pay.

Remember the general rule here is that these places will prioritize the indigents or poorest of the poor. The indigency test often used is if you earn P14,000 or less in Metro Manila per month.

Public Attorneys Office

Before the PAO will assist you, you will be asked to execute an Affidavit of Indigency and submit proof of your lack of income such as your Income Tax Return (ITR) or Certificate of Indigency.

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) is one of the largest legal aid institutions in the country as it is run by government. There are many talented PAO lawyers who are more than willing and able to help you for free if you satisfy the requirements.

Just remember though since this is free, the PAO lawyers often have a lot of cases so they might not be able to give your case as much attention as your own personal lawyer. Some PAO lawyers go as far as to encourage clients to get private lawyers.

https://pao.gov.ph/

Integrated Bar of the Philippines

Same with PAO, you have to be an indigent to be accommodated. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines is the national organization of lawyers. They have different chapters in every city which you can ask how to avail. You will be interviewed by a lawyer who recommend whether or not you should be accepted. IBP may be a good choice if the other party to your concern has already secured a PAO lawyer.

https://web.facebook.com/IBPNationalCenterforLegalAid/?_rdc=1&_rdr

TISYA HUSTISYA

With Tisya Hustisya, you don’t necessarily have to be an indigent. Tisya Hustisya is a great option if you are looking for free advice as they have an active facebook page. This is offered by IDEALS, a non-profit that advocates in lawyering for development. From what we know, IDEALS is funded by a grant so they have a set of lawyers ready to help others.

https://www.facebook.com/tisyahustisya

Law School Programs

To be clear, these aren’t lawyers but law students a.k.a. future lawyers.

You undergo an interview to determine if you are qualified but on personal experience, if you are not an indigent, it may be hard to be accepted.

UP Law requires graduating students to render 2 semesters worth of Legal Aid. So please understand if your case lasts more than 6 months, you may be assigned a new law student to handle your case when the new semester starts.

Ateneo and San Beda likewise offers legal aid through their students to indigent clients.

http://law.upd.edu.ph/office-of-legal-aid/

https://ateneo.edu/aps/law/ateneo-law-center/ateneo-legal-services-center

https://www.facebook.com/SBCLegalAidBureau/

Digest

Digest allows people to ask 3 questions for free from verified lawyers. You are free to ask whatever you want to help you decide whether you shall engage a lawyer or not. Once you have decided, DIGEST gives fixed price legal packages or allows you to post your problem and budget so lawyers may submit proposals.

https://www.digest.ph/#talk-to-a-lawyer

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While there are free legal options, we still highly encourage people to pay their service providers.

Paid lawyers are more incentivized to devote all their time to helping you.

However, if you or your family really can’t afford legal fees and you qualify as an indigent, then the above options may be your best bet.

Atty. Raymond Rodis is one of the many lawyers you can find on Digest. Post your legal concern here on Digest and we will find you a lawyer that fits your budget and issue.

Digest is a one-stop shop for Philippine laws, lawyers, and contracts.