Lawyers Must Log 60 Hours of Pro Bono Work Every Three Years

(SPOT.ph) Starting February 2025, Filipino lawyers will be required to render at least 60 hours of free legal aid every three years under the Supreme Court’s newly approved Rules on Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS).

So who is eligible for pro bono service? The ULAS Rules define indigent beneficiaries as those who cannot afford “adequate legal services,” with eligibility determined by lawyers based on specific guidelines. Those qualified can get help with court representation, legal advice, and even document drafting—all free of charge thanks to the ULAS Fund. Other expenses like court docket fees and transcripts of stenographic notes are also covered.

“The legal service itself will be free for such Qualified Beneficiary and the necessary expenses for the rendering of the service will be borne by the Court thru the ULAS Fund, which will be set up for this purpose,” the Supreme Court explained in a release. However, they are required to “execute an affidavit laying down the circumstances that make him or her a Qualified Beneficiary.”

The move seeks to provide underprivileged Filipinos with access to justice while encouraging legal professionals to take a more active role in community service.

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Do pro bono, contribute financially, or pay the fine

Lawyers have some flexibility when it comes to the requirements.

Instead of rendering pro bono work, they can opt to contribute financially to the ULAS Fund to cover up to 50% of their required hours. Law firms can also pool their lawyers’ hours, but each individual must still personally complete 15 hours.

Fulfilling this requirement will earn lawyers 15 credit units for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)—and they might even qualify for tax benefits. The rules also ease certain administrative requirements for lawyers, like allowing notarial acts be done outside the usual place of business as long as it's within specific jurisdictions.

Under the ULAS, failure to meet the 60-hour requirement could result in fines, delinquent status with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and ineligibility for a Certificate of Good Standing. However, lawyers are given a 60-day grace period to address non-compliance or justify any failure to meet the requirement.

Not everyone has to follow these rules, though. Certain lawyers are exempt from the ULAS Rules, including those barred from private practice, such as judges, public prosecutors, and Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) lawyers. Others exempted include senior lawyers with at least 35 years of experience, those aged 60 and above, and those with disabilities.

The first compliance period for the ULAS Rules will run from 2025 to 2027.

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