Need Legal Advice? Here's How to Get a Free Consultation With a Lawyer

(SPOT.ph) Seeking out legal help doesn’t have to mean you’re gearing up for court. Maybe you need help securing an affidavit of loss, want expert advice on a work problem, or simply have questions about your planned house-and-lot purchase. Instead of relying on a friend or chatbot for answers, why not consult a professional lawyer for free?

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) offers this through its Lawyer of the Day initiative (LODI), which provides in-person, same-day consultations through its National Center for Legal Aid (NCLA) and participating IBP chapters.

The volunteer lawyers can provide legal advice on civil, criminal, family, or administrative matters. They can draft simple legal documents like affidavits or demand letters, or explain documents that you already have on hand at no charge.

For more complicated matters, the lawyer on duty can refer you to more specialized representation. Some IBP offices also provide free notary services.

Also read: You Can Now Get Documents Notarized Online—Here’s How

The LODI program is designed to make getting legal aid as simple as possible.

First, locate your nearest IBP chapter office in the IBP chapter directory. There are 85 chapters across nine regions nationwide, but it's best to check first if your preferred location offers LODI consultations.

While appointments aren't required, it's best to call your preferred IBP office ahead of time to confirm office hours and check if you need to bring any documents. You may also want to prepare a valid ID and any paperwork related to your concern, such as contracts, notices, or correspondence, to help the lawyer better understand your situation.

At the IBP office, you will simply be asked to register your name and address before meeting with the lawyer of the day. Do note that waiting times and consultation arrangements may vary depending on the number of clients and the availability of volunteer lawyers.

Consultations can last up to three hours, depending on how many people are waiting.

While IBP has long offered free legal services through community initiatives, the NCLA has served 1,018 clients during the first nine months of its LODI program.

“Ito pong Lawyer of the Day initiative ay isang initiative ng IBP kung saan sinisiguro po natin na ang ating mga mamamayan ay may madadatnan na abogado at tutugon sa kanilang katanungang panligal kapag sila ay tumuntong sa opisina ng Integrated Bar of the Philippines at sa mga chapters nito,” Atty. Maria Cristina P. Yambot, Deputy Director of IBP, said in an interview.

Under the Unified Legal Aid Service Rules, Filipino lawyers must render at least 60 hours of volunteer, pro bono work every three years, which includes the LODI program.

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