Mandatory Pro Bono in the Philippines
September 11, 2025
By Richelle Khor, PBI Intern On February 3, 2025, the Rules on Unified Legal Aid Service (the ULAS Rules) adopted by the Supreme Court of the Philippines took effect, making the Philippines one of a small minority of countries worldwide to implement mandatory pro bono. The ULAS Rules apply to lawyers who are (1) active members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), (2) not retired under the by-laws of the IBP, and (3) not subject to an exception under the ULAS Rules. For registered organizations, such as corporations, partnerships, associations, and law firms, the ULAS Rules extend to