Free Legal Aid for People Who Cannot Afford Lawyer



17.10.2008. - The Ministry of Justice of BiH has prepared the Draft Law on Free Legal Aid providing for free legal aid in court proceedings and other matters to be provided to indigent people by the State, Entities and other appropriate authorities. A great number of indigent people in Bosnia and Herzegovina have not had access to courts. The Law affords equal rights to all citizens of our country both in civil and criminal matters under conditions set forth in the Law.

Pursuant to the Law, the entitlement to free legal aid will be enjoyed by underprivileged people of BiH such as: social assistance beneficiaries, the unemployed with no regular income, the indigent, children without parental care, individuals who previously were found to be eligible to receive social assistance for a short period of time. The entitlement to free legal aid will be enjoyed also by people under international protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with international standards, asylum seekers, refugees, victims of trafficking in human beings and individuals enjoying temporary protection in particular.    

The entitlement to free legal aid will include the right to: general information about rights and duties, legal advice and assistance in filling forms in and filing court documents, representation before administrative authorities and institutions, representation at courts, drafting applications, and the right in the peaceful settlement of disputes (mediation). 

All tiers of government are obliged to provide free legal aid, depending on the type of dispute. BAM 626,210.00 will be appropriated in the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina Budget for the implantation of the Law on Civil Actions in the first year.

The working version of the Draft Law on Free Legal Aid is under consultations. The Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina invites all citizens to give comments and suggestions and thereby contribute to high quality legal solutions.

For an insight into the Law and involvement in drafting, please click Public Consultations.