The Sejm adopted the amendment to the Act on free legal assistance on Friday. The key change is It is possible to provide legal and civic advice through distance communication, such as telephone or internet. The new regulations are aimed at increasing the availability of services for citizens, especially those with limited mobility or living in smaller towns.
411 MPs voted in favor of adopting the amendment, 15 were against and 5 abstained. Now the law will go to the Senate.
Free legal assistance. Increasing efficiency and simplification of procedures
The purpose of the amendment is to improve the efficiency of public expenditure, simplify procedures and to provide free legal services. As Deputy Minister of Justice Arkadiusz Myrcha emphasized, these changes are a response to the growing demand for online legal advice.
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Initially, it was planned to abolish the obligation to submit written statements about the inability to incur paid legal aid. Ultimately, however, this provision was preserved, but with a significant modification. Persons using stationary advice will still have to make a written statement. However, in the case of remote advice, oral form is enough.
How to use free legal assistance?
Free legal assistance can be obtained at points run by lawyers, legal advisers or non -governmental organizations. To use the service, you must make an appointment in advance – in person, by phone or online. The list of points is available on the websites of poviat starosties.
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The amendment will now go to the Senate, which will decide on its fate. If the law enters into force, it can significantly improve access to legal aid in Poland, especially for people with limited possibilities of reaching stationary points.
