1. Baseline Study on Legal Aid in Southeast Asia
Country Research Comparative
Jaymie Ann Reyes
Ateneo Human Rights Center

2. Why Legal Aid?
Essential element of a fair, humane and efficient criminal justice system based on the rule of law
Foundation for the enjoyment of other rights, including the right to a fair trial
There are some proponents who argue that legal aid is a human right, as such must be provided for by the State. United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Mrs. Gabriela Knaul views legal aid as “both a right in itself and an essential precondition for the exercise and enjoyment of a number of human rights, including the rights to a fair trial and to an effective remedy… It represents an important safeguard that contributes to ensuring the fairness and public trust in the administration of justice.” Provision of legal aid to those who are in need of it begets respect for the rule of law rule of law prevails and administration of justice.
The reality is that the availability and accessibility of legal aid depends on the State. In some countries, most of the providers of legal aid are actually private institutions or non-governmental organizations. Their approach to legal aid likewise differ.
Though the topics of legal aid and rule of law is not new in the context of Southeast Asia, there is no consolidated and organized data as to the basis of legal aid in as well as the type of legal aid services, if such exist, that are provided the different Southeast Asian countries. However, there is currently a dearth of resources and information as to legal aid in Southeast Asia. Hence, the Ateneo Human Rights Center spearheaded a baseline study on legal aid in Southeast Asia.

3. Adopted in 2012 by the UN General Assembly
Context: UN Guidelines and Principles on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems
Adopted in 2012 by the UN General Assembly
To provide guidance on fundamental principles which a legal aid system in criminal justice should be based
To outline the specific elements required for an effective and sustainable national legal aid system

4. What does Legal Aid Entail?
Legal advice
Legal assistance
Legal representation  
Legal education
Access to legal information
Other services provided for persons through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and restorative justice processes
Legal advice, assistance, and representation for persons detained, arrested or imprisoned, suspected or accused of, or charged with a criminal offence and for victims and witnesses in the criminal justice process that is provided at no cost for those without sufficient means or when the interests of justice so require.
Also legal education, access to legal information, and other services provided for persons through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and restorative justice processes.

5. Purpose of the Research
To survey each Southeast Asian country’s available information on existing regulatory framework on legal aid.
To also learn about the evolution of legal aid and access to justice, from where good practices may be learned from and replicated.
The Ateneo Human Rights Center tapped eleven country researchers to examine the regulatory framework on the right to counsel and free legal aid in criminal, civil and administrative cases in the 11 Southeast Asian countries namely: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam. The research output reveal not only the current status of legal aid in the country, but also the history and evolution of legal aid and access to justice, from where good practices may be learned from and replicated.

6. Methodology of the Research
Diagnostic Tool on Basic Assessment of a Legal Aid System developed by the Open Society Justice Initiative.
Primary sources of information:
desk and internet research,
visitations to institutions for materials gathering
interviews.
Focused mainly on materials gathering and analysis
The research design adopted the Diagnostic Tool on Basic Assessment of a Legal Aid System developed by the Open Society Justice Initiative.
The primary sources of information were mostly done through desk and internet research, and visitations to institutions for materials gathering and interview. The study focused mainly on materials gathering and analysis and did not use qualitative interviews among respondents as sources of data, to measure also the availability or access to information.

7. Significance
In this context the aim of the research project is to explore and compare access to legal aid services and providers across the eleven Southeast Asian jurisdictions.

8. Comparative Matrix Brunei Darussalam Cambodia Indonesia Lao PDR
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Indonesia
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Timor Leste
Vietnam
Constitutional Basis
None
Yes
Yes*
Statutory Basis
Legal Aid for Criminal Cases
Legal Aid for Civil Cases
Unclear*
Yes**
Legal Aid for Other types of Cases
Unclear
Full Extent of Services (counselling, representation, etc.)
Unclear**
Yes***
No**
Availability of Legal Aid for all stages of a criminal case
Eligibility Tests
Government Body for Specifically Providing Legal Aid Services
Here is a brief overview of the essential/basic information that our researchers gathered:
Among the 11 Southeast Asian countries—
4 have constitutional bases for legal aid which are Lao PDR, the Philippines, Timor Leste, and Thailand (based on the 1997 and 2007 constitutions)
10 have provided for one form or another of legal aid in their statutes.
For the types of Legal Aid services provided my different legal aid providers:
Criminal cases: 11 (all 11 give legal aid services, through the right to counsel at least to those accused facing capital punishment charges.)
Civil Cases: 8 (some are generally provided by private legal aid providers)
Other Types of Cases: 4 (these are administrative cases, etc.)
Countries providing for full extent of services (counseling, representation, appeals)
8 out of 11
Availability of Legal Aid for all stages of a criminal case (police custody, trial, appeal)
7 out of 11
Eligibility Tests: 10 out of 11
Government Body: 4/11
Government Body Providing Specifically for Legal Aid Services: 3

9. Brunei Darussalam
The world’s only Malay Islamic monarchy with an unbroken royal lineage.
Legal system of Brunei is based on English Common Law but with a parallel Syariah law structure.
No provision on legal aid in the Constitution.
In reality, legal aid is only provided to persons unable to afford legal representation in criminal cases whereby defendants face capital charges.
The Syariah Penal Code Order 2013 called for an expanded legal aid scheme to assist those facing punishment that include the cutting of limbs and whipping.
Legal aid providers are 3 agencies in Brunei.
Brunei Darussalam is the world’s only Malay Islamic Monarchy with an unbroken royal lineage that has ruled the nation for the past 600 years. The legal system of Brunei is based on English Common Law but with a parallel Syariah law structure on Islamic matters.
Legal aid is only provided to persons unable to afford legal representation in criminal cases whereby defendants face capital charges (i.e. where the death penalty applies) such as murder, drug trafficking and possession of firearms to all defendants, regardless of citizenship. The State does not provide free legal aid services for those charged with non-capital criminal cases.
A person accused of an offense may be represented by counsel of his choice, but generally, there is no legal duty on the part of the State to provide an accused with counsel, except in cases punishable by death.
The Syariah Penal Code Order 2013 called for an expanded legal aid scheme to assist those facing punishment that include the cutting of limbs and whipping.
Legal aid providers are 3 agencies in Brunei: the government, and 2 NGOs.

10. Cambodia Adopts a Constitutional Monarchy form of government.
Very few lawyers due to the persecution during the Khmer Rouge Regime.
No constitutional definition of “legal aid.”
Guarantee to the right to legal aid provided in the Cambodian Code of Criminal Procedure which provides:
The assistance of a lawyer is compulsory in the following cases:
Felony;
The accused person is a minor. If the accused person has not selected a lawyer, the lawyer shall be appointed upon the initiative of the court president in accordance with the Law on Statute of Lawyers.
Presently, Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy. The King serves as the Chief of State. Cambodia has 3 branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary.
In Cambodia, “legal aid” is not specifically defined, however the concept is incorporated in the Cambodian legal system through different laws and statutes. The fundamental right to effective legal defense is enshrined in Article 38 of the Constitution which states, “[e]very citizen shall enjoy the right to defense through judicial recourse.”
The Cambodian Code of Criminal Procedure likewise provides for the general right of an accused to counsel. More specifically, the Code provides that assistance of a lawyer is compulsory in instances where a person is accused of a felony or is a minor. In such cases, if the accused has not selected a lawyer, the court president shall initiate the appointment of a lawyer to represent the former in accordance with the provisions of the Law on the Bar. This provision requires the court to seek legal assistance for the accused by using the provision provided under the Law on the Bar Statute. However, it is only after the lapse of a 24-hour period after the accused is placed in the custody of the police that such right to counsel is available.

11. Cambodia
Article 29 of the Law on the Bar, which provides, “[a]ll lawyers are obligated to defend poor people according to the same procedures and internal rules and in the same manner as the defense of their own clients.”
“Poor people” are defined under the law as those who have no property, no income, or those who receive insufficient income to support their living. (Cambodia Law on the Bar, Article 30)
Another important source of the right to counsel is the Article 29 of the Law on the Bar, which provides, “[a]ll lawyers are obligated to defend poor people according to the same procedures and internal rules and in the same manner as the defense of their own clients.”
“Poor people” are defined under the law as those who have no property, no income, or those who receive insufficient income to support their living.

12. Indonesia
The State has three branches that consist of executive, legislative, and judiciary.
“Access to justice” is guaranteed by the state under articles on human rights of the 1945 Constitution, however, legal aid is not expressly defined.

13. Indonesia
Under the Indonesian Legal Aid Law No. 16 Year 2011, legal aid is defined as legal services provided by designated legal aid providers without any charge to the legal aid beneficiaries, which may include poor individuals or poor communities.
The Ministry of Law and Human Rights is also mandated by the Legal Aid Law to administer the national legal aid system and to manage the State funding required to run the legal aid program.
Under the Indonesian Legal Aid Law No. 16 Year 2011, legal aid is defined as legal services provided by designated legal aid providers without any charge to the legal aid beneficiaries, which may include poor individuals or poor communities. Legal aid in Indonesia is the reflection of the constitutionally guaranteed right of the people to recognition, security, protection and certainty under the law shall be just and treat everybody as equal before the law.
Legal aid services may include litigation and non-litigation matters for criminal, civil and administrative law cases. However, before they deliver the services, the legal aid providers must be first accredited by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, the entity mandated by the Legal Aid Law to administer the national legal aid system and to manage the State funding required to run the program. After they obtain their accreditation results, they can provide legal aid to the legal aid beneficiaries and seek reimbursement in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulation.

14. Lao PDR Article 83 of Lao PDR’s Constitution:
Defendants have the right to defend themselves and lawyers have the right to provide legal assistance to the defendants.
Legal Aid available for both criminal and civil cases.
The Law on Criminal Procedure guarantees the right of an accused to defend his case, either by himself or by a lawyer who will provide him/her legal assistance. (Art. 7)
Role of courts, public prosecutors, interrogators and investigators to guarantee the right of defense in the proceedings.
According to Article 83 of Lao PDR’s Constitution, defendants have the right to defend themselves and lawyers have the right to provide legal assistance to the defendants.
Legal Aid services are available for both criminal and civil cases.
The Law on Criminal Procedure guarantees the right of an accused to defend his case, either by himself or by a lawyer who will provide him/her legal assistance. (Art. 7)
Further provides that the people’s courts, public prosecutors, interrogators and investigators shall guarantee the right of defense in the proceedings to an accused person in order to protect his legitimate rights and interests.

15. Lao PDR
Where the accused or defendant is minor (under 18), a deaf or mute person, an insane or mentally ill person, someone who does not know the Lao language, or someone who will receive the death penalty, that person must have a protector.
If the accused person or defendant has no protector, the people’s court is required by law to appoint a lawyer.
In civil cases, an attorney or guardian is obligated to provide legal assistance to the litigant whom he or she is protecting. (Art. 33, Law on Civil Procedure of Lao PDR)
Legal aid services implemented through the Lao Bar Association only, with the help of international funders and organizations.
Sec. 35 further provides that in the case where the accused or defendant is minor (under 18), a deaf or mute person, an insane or mentally ill person, someone who does not know the Lao language, or someone who will receive the death penalty, that person must have a protector. If the accused person or defendant has no protector, the people’s court is required by law to appoint a lawyer.
In civil cases, an attorney or guardian is obligated to provide legal assistance to the litigant whom he or she is protecting. (Art. 33, Law on Civil Procedure of Lao PDR)
Legal aid services implemented through the Lao Bar Association only, with the help of international funders and organizations.

16. Malaysia
Malaysia has a federal government system operating within a constitutional monarchy.
The Federal Constitution recognizes the separation of governmental powers between the Executive, Federal Legislature and Judicial Branches.
The general right of an accused to counsel is guaranteed by the Constitution.
Malaysia is rich with laws and statutes that mandates both the Government and Bar Councils to render legal aid.
Legal aid in Malaysia is provided by both the Malaysian Government and the Bar Councils. The Malaysian Federal Constitution lays down the basis for the duty of the State to provide legal aid. It guarantees the right of an accused to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.
The Legal Aid Act of 1971, which created the Legal Aid Bureau, is the primary statute under which the State provides legal aid. This legislation provided for a government-funded scheme administered through a department within the Prime Minister’s Department.

17. Malaysia
The Legal Aid Act of 1971, which created the Legal Aid Bureau, is the primary statute under which the State provides legal aid for both criminal and civil cases specifically mentioned in the law.
The Legal Profession Act of 1976 mandates the Malaysian Bar Councils to render legal aid, which is completely pro-bono to the client, save for a contribution to the expenses of the Bar Council Legal Aid Scheme.
This scheme is done by the Malaysian Bar through its legal aid centers (LAC) located in each of the state capitals in Peninsular Malaysia.
The Malaysian Bar Councils provide legal aid as mandated by the Legal Profession Act of 1976, which states that, “[t]he purpose of the Malaysian Bar shall be to make provision for or assist in the promotion of a scheme whereby impecunious persons may be represented by advocates and solicitors.
The scheme is completely pro bono to the client, save for a contribution to the expenses of the scheme. The scheme is unique in that it is funded entirely from annual mandatory contributions from each member of the Malaysian Bar. This Legal Aid Scheme is provided by the Malaysian Bar through its legal aid centres.
There is one legal aid centre (LAC) located in each of the state capitals in Peninsular Malaysia, in addition to one in the federal capital, Kuala Lumpur. Among the functions of the LAC is to provide free legal advice, representation and legal intervention for civil and criminal matters.

18. Myanmar
Myanmar is formally known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Although the Constitution provides for the general right of an accused to defense in accordance with existing laws, there is no law in Myanmar which provides for the specific definition of legal aid.
Apart from legal representation being made available to criminal defendants in cases punishable by death, there is no provision for state sponsored legal aid yet.
Although the Constitution provides for the general right of an accused to defense in accordance with existing laws, there is no law in Myanmar which provides for the specific definition of legal aid. Apart from legal representation being made available to criminal defendants in cases punishable by death, there is no provision for state sponsored legal aid. According to the Burma Court Manual states that “[e]ngagement of advocates or pleaders at government expenses on behalf of poor persons accused of offences punishable with deaths.”

19. Myanmar
Additionally, the Attorney General Law provides that the Law Officers at the various levels of the Law Office have the duty to hire a lawyer for the accused in poverty who is accused of a criminal offence punishable with death. (Section 36)
Lawyers in Myanmar are also working for the establishment of a legal aid system inspired by South Africa’s model, where lawyers employed by an independent publicly-funded board, assist the poor for free.
On the way to having a legal aid law.
Additionally, the Attorney General Law provides that the Law Officers at the various levels of the Law Office have the duty to hire a lawyer for the accused in poverty who is accused of a criminal offence punishable with death.
There is no government funded legal aid system in Myanmar except in capital cases. Thus some free legal services are provided by private organizations funded by international donors. Currently, Myanmar is looking forward to drafting its legal aid law.

20. Philippines
The Constitution, as the fundamental law of the land, provides that the Philippines is a democratic and republican state where sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
The right to legal aid and assistance is guaranteed by no less than the Philippine Constitution: “[f]ree access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.” (Art. III, § 11.)
Under Article VIII, the Judiciary is mandated to promulgate rules concerning legal assistance to the underprivileged. (Art. VIII, § 5. (5))
Article XIII on Social Justice and Human Rights on role of the Commission of Human Rights to provide legal measures to protect human rights.
The right to legal aid and assistance is guaranteed by no less than the Philippine Constitution: “[f]ree access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.” Pursuant to this, the State undertakes to give legal assistance for the poor, not just through its government agencies, but also by mandating all lawyers to contribute to this cause through legislation.
The Constitution does not define “legal aid” but it is replete with provisions that guarantee this right. Aside from the specific provision on legal aid, it also guarantees a person accused of a crime the right to “competent and independent counsel” from the time of custodial investigation. Under Article VIII, the Judiciary is mandated to promulgate rules concerning legal assistance to the underprivileged.
Article XIII on Social Justice and Human Rights also created the Commission on Human Rights, and one of its functions is to “provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipino residents abroad, and provide for preventive measures and legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection.”

21. Philippines
Legal aid services guaranteed by the State primarily through the Public Attorney’s Office, extending free legal assistance to indigent persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases. (R.A. No. 9406, as amended)
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the national organization of all lawyers in the Philippines, through the National Committee on Legal Aid carries out a Legal Aid Program.
NGOs and Law Schools’ Legal Aid Clinics also provide legal aid services to those who need it most.
The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) is the principal law office of the Philippine government extending free legal assistance to indigent persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases. It is an independent and autonomous office attached to the Department of Justice of the Philippines. Public attorneys provide free legal aid services, ranging from legal advice to legal representation during trials and even appeals. The law also exempts PAO clients from payment of docket fees and other incidental fees to instituting an action.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the national organization of all lawyers in the Philippines, through the National Committee on Legal Aid carries out a Legal Aid Program. This is divided into two: the Traditional Legal Aid Program, which focuses on legal counseling and representation. The other is the Development Legal Aid, which engages in services directed at legal empowerment of the poor.
Several non-government organizations (NGOs) also provide legal aid services and assistance to clients, especially if it is in line with their advocacies. Clients of legal NGOs are not confined to only to the indigent, but the focus of cases being handled are issues concerning rights.

22. Singapore
Singapore is a city state governed under a democratic multiparty parliamentary.
Its legal system is based on English common law.
Considered as having one of the most sophisticated legal aid frameworks in the world, the Singapore government provides legal aid services for both criminal and civil cases.
No specific constitutional provision on legal aid.
Singapore is a city state governed under a democratic multiparty parliamentary. Its legal system is based on English common law. One of the most progressive countries in the world, and being the wealthiest in ASEAN.
Considered as having one of the most sophisticated legal aid frameworks in the world, the Singapore government provides legal aid services for both criminal and civil cases. These services are provided to low-income earners, who cannot afford the high rates of hiring the services of a lawyer. However, the Singaporean government “focuses more heavily on the provision of civil legal aid, with much of the country’s criminal legal aid provided by non-governmental sources.”

23. Singapore
On 4 April 1956, the Legal Aid and Advice Bill was introduced in the Legislative Assembly. The aim of the Bill was “to make legal aid and advice in the Colony more readily available to persons of limited means.”
All persons facing capital charges in the High Court of Singapore are ensured of legal representation under the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (LASCO).
All persons facing capital charges in the High Court of Singapore are ensured of legal representation under the Legal Assistance Scheme for Capital Offences (LASCO). Under the Scheme, anyone facing a capital charge is automatically eligible to be assigned counsel by the State free of charge. No means test or other eligibility criteria are imposed.

24. Singapore
Persons facing non-capital charges go to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) administered by the Law Society of Singapore. (Singapore Bar Association)
For those low-income persons who need assistance in civil cases, they may avail of the services of the Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) under the Department of the Ministry of Law.
Singapore also has a number of additional free legal clinics, operated by NGOs, which provide a variety of legal services.
“The Singapore Ministry of Law operates the country’s Legal Aid Bureau (“LAB”), a government-funded and operated entity that provides civil legal assistance. Singapore’s national bar association, the Law Society of Singapore (“Law Society”), compliments the LAB’s services by providing legal aid to criminal defendants.”
Persons facing non-capital charges who are unable to pay for legal counsel, may nevertheless seek legal representation via the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) administered by the Law Society of Singapore.
For those low-income persons who need assistance in civil cases, they may avail of the services of the Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) under the Department of the Ministry of Law. Funding for the LAB comes almost entirely from the government, though pro rata client contributions also fund the department.
Enhancements to the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) was launched this year to provide funding and better assistance to more people facing criminal charges.

25. Thailand
The Kingdom of Thailand is ruled by a constitutional monarchy and has a parliamentary democratic form of government.
In the 1997 Constitution of Thailand, Article 242 guarantees legal aid provided by the state in both criminal and civil cases.
In the 2007 Constitution, reaffirmed the right to legal aid in Article 81(1) and (5) by particularly:
Following the Policy Directive on Legal Affairs and Justice to “promote the legal aids and legal learning among people”
Support the operations of private organizations that provide the legal aides to people, particularly those affected by the domestic violence.
It is in the 1997 Constitution of Thailand that the right to legal aid was first expressly guaranteed. Article 242 states “[i]n a criminal case, the suspect or the accused has the right to receive an aid from the State by providing an advocate as provided by law. In the case where a person being kept in custody or detained cannot find an advocate, the State shall render assistance by providing an advocate without delay. In a civil case, a person has the right to receive a legal aid from the State, as provided by law.”
This provision inspired the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Code in 2004, stipulating the rights to have a lawyer and the rights to the legal aid during all stages of criminal proceedings The 1997 Constitution had been repealed by the force of the Coup 2006.

26. Thailand
The Criminal Procedure Code in 2004, stipulate on the rights to have a lawyer and the rights to the legal aid during all stages of criminal proceedings.
State provides limited legal aid service in criminal cases through the Office of the Attorney General’s Department of Rights and Liberties Protection. (ie. Legal counselling and awareness raising)
Other legal aid providers: professional organizations, such as the Lawyer Society of Thailand, NGOs, and university legal aid centers clinics.
The Criminal Procedure Code in 2004, stipulate on the rights to have a lawyer and the rights to the legal aid during all stages of criminal proceedings.
Certain government offices such as the Office of the Attorney General’s Department of Rights and Liberties Protection and Department of Special Investigation and the Office of Court of Justice provide limited legal aid services such as counseling and awareness-raising in civil, criminal, and labor case proceedings.
Professional organizations play an important role of a legal aid service, such as the Lawyer Society of Thailand, which renders all kinds of legal services in all types of cases. They derive resources from the government budget, and lawyers license fees.

27. Timor-Leste
The Constitution provides that ”[l]egal and judicial aid is of social interest, and lawyers and defenders shall be governed by this principle. (Sec. 135 (1))
In 2008, Law No. 11/2008 passed to regulate the exercise of the legal aid service and to provide capacity building to the lawyers, including judges and public defenders.
The Government also established Office of Public Defender (OPD) to provide free legal aid service to those who insufficient economic means. (the Organic Law of the Office of Public Defenders)

28. Timor-Leste
In the criminal cases, the victim will automatically be represented by the Public Prosecutor, while the defendant can request a public defender to be his or her lawyer if he or she cannot avail of one.
In a civil case, the persons involved in the dispute will seek a lawyer to bring his or her case to court. If the person does not have enough economic means to pay for lawyer, he or she can seek the assistance of a public defender.
The OPD delivers full legal, judicial and extra-judicial assistance, free of charge, to citizens most in need.
Nongovernment legal aid organizations also provide legal aid services.

29. Vietnam
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is effectively ruled by the Communist Party of Vietnam.
The Vietnamese legal system is heavily influenced by the French civil law.
“Legal aid” in Vietnam is statutorily defined as “provision of ‘pro bono’ legal services to legal aid beneficiaries in accordance with this Law to help them protect their legitimate rights and interests and improve their legal understanding as well as their sense of respect for and observance of law; to contribute to law dissemination and education, protect justice, ensure social equity and prevent and restrict disputes and violations of law.” (Vietnam’s Law on Legal Aid)
“Legal aid” in Vietnam is statutorily defined as “provision of ‘pro bono’ legal services to legal aid beneficiaries in accordance with this Law (Vietnam’s Law on legal aid) to help them protect their legitimate rights and interests and improve their legal understanding as well as their sense of respect for and observance of law; to contribute to law dissemination and education, protect justice, ensure social equity and prevent and restrict disputes and violations of law.” Legal aid can come in the form of 1) legal counseling; 2) participation in legal proceedings, which includes representing those beneficiaries who are victims, civil plaintiffs, civil defendants or persons with rights and interests related to criminal cases; 3) representation beyond legal proceedings; and 4) other forms of legal aid.

30. Vietnam Beneficiaries of legal aid are classified into four groups:
1) poor people,
2) people with meritorious services to the revolution
3) lonely elderly people, disabled people, and helpless children, and
4) ethnic minority people permanently residing in areas with exceptionally difficult socio-economic conditions.
Beneficiaries of legal aid are classified into four groups: 1) poor people, 2) people with meritorious services to the revolution, 3) lonely elderly people, disabled people, and helpless children, and 4) ethnic minority people permanently residing in areas with exceptionally difficult socio-economic conditions.

31. Vietnam
At present, the legal aid system in Vietnam is comprised of the State legal aid centers, non-government law-practicing organizations and legal counseling organizations and various Bar Associations around the country.
The NGOs which provide legal aid services are also required to register in accordance with the Law on legal aid.
National Legal Aid Agency (NLAA) and the Provincial Legal Aid Centers (PLACs) are established at the national and local level who propose establishment of Legal Aid Centres under supervision of some NGOs.

32. Thank you very much!