Tiraspol, 29 May. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The draft law "On free legal assistance" was considered by parliamentarians at a meeting of the working group under the legislation committee, the press service of the Supreme Council reports.
The bill's author was vice speaker, head of the legislation committee Galina Antyufeyeva. According to the parliamentarian, she often meets people who need legal advice, but they cannot afford it.
"Receiving citizens, we encounter a large number of people who need free legal assistance. Seeking a solution to their problem, citizens do not always understand where to go next. Very often they need assistance in writing and filing a bill to the court. This burden falls today either on MPs or on the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman or on the Prosecutor's Office," said Galina Antyufeeva.
As the meeting participants noted, such a draft law is long overdue. The bill provides a legal framework for the development of the state system providing free legal aid and determines the right of citizens to receive it.
It should be noted that in Russia there is a federal law regulating this sphere, and the subjects of the Russian Federation establish the volume of free legal assistance provided to the population.
The members of the working group paid special attention to the involvement of the College of Advocates in this process. According to the current legislation, only criminal suspects can get free legal advice, which is provided for by the budget law.
"There were proposals to amend the law 'On the Bar Association' to ensure that lawyers provide legal services free of charge and the state compensates them for the costs. Legal services must be available to citizens as well," said Galina Antyufeyeva.
Currently, free legal assistance is available at Pridnestrovian State University. Students and teachers of the law faculty have provided free legal advice to the population for three years.
"This is our social burden. It is important for us that a law that would regulate our activities be drafted and adopted," said Edward Mkrtchyan, a member of the student project.
According to Galina Antyufeyeva, free legal assistance is often needed by such categories of citizens as veterans of the Great Patriotic War, combatants, people with disabilities. The draft law should take this into account.
Work on the document will continue with regard to the remarks and suggestions that have been made. The next meeting of the working group is scheduled for next week.
