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 lawyers employed under an employer-employee relationship or those serving as directors, trustees, partners, officers.
The requirement is that lawyers are mandated to perform at least 60 hours of pro bono service every three years. The ULAS Rules provide two other methods of compliance. Lawyers may substitute up to 50% of the required hours with financial contributions to the ULAS Fund. Or, for registered corporations, they may aggregate the required hours of all lawyers, on the condition that each lawyer personally completes at least 25% of the required hours.
Scope of Pro Bono Service
A broad range of legal services are eligible under the ULAS Rules. Lawyers may provide representation in courts, quasi-judicial bodies, or alternative dispute resolution proceedings. The scope extends further to legal counselling, assistance in contract negotiations and drafting, preparation of affidavits and other legal documents, developmental legal assistance (which includes rights awareness, capacity building, and human rights training), and participation in accredited legal outreach programs and missions. These opportunities enable lawyers to address critical legal needs and actively contribute to bridging the justice gap in the Philippines.
The Role of Pro Bono in the Philippines
Pro bono service in the Philippines has a powerful role to play in the country’s legal landscape, but efforts to facilitate access to pro bono resources remain imperative. The 2024 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index ranked the Philippines 99th out of 142 countries globally, and many physical and financial barriers impede those of limited means from accessing pro bono services.
For those who are able to access pro bono resources, many still lack the resources needed to continue pursuing their cases and are often left to navigate courtroom intricacies, such as coordinating the submission of documents, witnesses, and evidence, on their own. In addition, the sheer physical distance between Manila — the business centre of the Philippines — and rural areas, often results in a lack of awareness of the availability of pro bono and legal aid services for Filipinos in rural communities.
Before the implementation of the ULAS Rules, numerous prominent organizations were already providing pro bono legal services, collectively fostering the development of a growing pro bono culture within the Philippines. The implementation of the ULAS Rules marks a substantial and decisive step toward the institutionalization of pro bono in the Philippines and points to a maturing pro bono infrastructure.
While the ULAS rules demonstrate that pro bono is a key and growing part of access to justice efforts in the Philippines, the landscape is multifaceted. In addition to pro bono service providers, The National Committee on Legal Aid of the IBP also coordinates free legal aid programs across the nation. NGOs and public interest groups such as SALIGAN, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), UP Law Centre, and Ateneo Human Rights Centre are actively engaged in responding to human rights issues. In addition, law schools may operate legal aid clinics, engaging students in providing legal services to low-income clients under attorney supervision. These Clinical Legal Education Programs (CLEP) prepare students for practice while providing low-income Filipinos with critical legal assistance.
Looking Ahead
The ULAS Rules pave the way for increased access to pro bono services for Filipinos. For firms operating in the Philippines, the ULAS Rules serve as a call to action, not just for increased levels of service but for enhanced law firm infrastructures to support those efforts. Firms like PBI Law Firm Pro Bono Project member, DivinaLaw, are taking steps accordingly to advance the maturity of their pro bono legal services delivery models.
In partnership with government stakeholders, DivinaLaw has established Dulog Legal — a program through which the firm provides effective and impactful pro bono legal services on topics ranging from criminal law to children’s rights and land disputes. Meeting members of the community where they are, including in rural and remote areas, and considering ways to provide holistic care by supplementing legal efforts with humanitarian aid are some of the ways DivinaLaw is scaling its impact throughout the country.
The ULAS Rules can contribute to more innovative pro bono partnerships and programming geared to increase access to justice in the Philippines. In response to the ULAS Rules and the continually growing pro bono culture, law firms can be expected to continue to formalize their pro bono commitments.
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