ULAS: Supreme Court’s Comprehensive Framework for Pro Bono Legal Services

The Supreme Court of the Philippines, through A.M. No. 22-11-01-SC (2024), has promulgated the Rules on Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS), a landmark measure to institutionalize and mandate pro bono legal aid for indigent and marginalized Filipinos. Approved on August 20, 2024, and effective February 3, 2025, ULAS establishes a unified, compulsory system for the delivery of legal aid, reflecting the legal profession’s public service obligations and the constitutional guarantee of access to justice.

ULAS requires all non-exempt members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to render at least 60 hours of pro bono legal aid every 36 months. “Covered Lawyers” are defined as active IBP members not falling under specific exemptions, which include certain government officials, senior or disabled lawyers, and other categories detailed in Section 5. The rules also allow Philippine lawyers based abroad to fulfill their obligation through financial contributions in lieu of service.

The framework includes strong compliance mechanisms:

1. Aggregation

   Lawyers in registered organizations (e.g., law firms) may aggregate their hours, provided each lawyer personally completes at least 25% of their required hours.

   
   

2. Carryover

   Excess hours may be credited to the next compliance period.

   
   

3. Reporting

   Lawyers must submit compliance reports to the ULAS Board.

   
   

4. Grace Period

   A 60-day grace period is granted for curing deficiencies in compliance.

Consequences of NoncomplianceStrict enforcement is ensured through:

1. Financial Penalties

   Noncompliant lawyers are fined at least twice the value of unserved hours.

   
   

2. Professional Sanctions

   Noncompliance results in IBP delinquency and ineligibility for Certificates of Good Standing.

   
   

3. Continuing Obligation

   Payment of fines does not extinguish the duty to complete the required service hours.

A dedicated ULAS Board, chaired by a Supreme Court Justice and composed of representatives from the IBP, law schools, and private practitioners, is tasked with implementation, accreditation, compliance monitoring, and fund management.

ULAS embodies the legal profession’s commitment to the constitutional mandate of access to justice and recognizes the practice of law as a privilege burdened with public interest. By making pro bono service a professional duty, the Supreme Court ensures that legal assistance is systematically extended to those most in need, reinforcing the lawyer’s role in the administration of justice and the protection of human rights.

Key Authority: Rules on Unified Legal Aid Service (2024) (A.M. No. 22-11-01-SC)

Free Legal Service for Indigents