STRENGTHENING RULE OF LAW THROUGH LEGAL AID CLINICS IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Asia Foundation, with support from the US Embassy Manila, is implementing a project on
Strengthening Rule of Law Through Legal Aid Clinics in the Philippines. The one-year project will
support the initiative of the Supreme Court to increase access to justice for marginalized populations of
society by providing alternative means to legal aid in addition to, and apart from, that provided by the
Public Attorney’s (PAO) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) through the establishment of
LACs in law schools across the country.

The project to establish a national network of legal clinics and enhance clinical legal education
programs to increase access to free legal service.

The Foundation will continue its current partnership with the Supreme Court of the Philippines
(SC), the Legal Education Board (LEB), and the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS) in the
finalization of the Proposed Guidelines for the Creation, Establishment and Operation of a Legal Aid
Clinic in Law Schools and for Other Purposes, as well as effective monitoring and evaluation on the
implementation of these Guidelines and to create and establish at least three legal aid clinics (LACs) in
selected law schools in different regions in the Philippines. In addition, a referral system will established
to link LACs with other legal aid service providers.

1: DEVELOP THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICAL LEGAL EDUCATION IN THE

PHILIPPINES

A legal framework for legal clinics to necessary for the creation of a legal clinic so that it can
serve its purpose of not only improving the skills of law students who have the potential of becoming
future lawyers, but also to advance the public interest by serving the marginalized sectors deprived of
access to legal aid. A legal framework will properly guide the clinic director, supervising lawyers, and the
law students in their provision of legal services to indigent clients.

ACTIVITIES:

1. Present the final version of the proposed Guidelines to LEB and SC for Approval
2. Publicly launch and disseminate the Guidelines

2: PILOT THE CREATION OF MODEL CLINICAL LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN TARGETED

LAW SCHOOLS

Based on the Guidelines developed under Objective 1, a model clinical legal education program
will be piloted in three targeted law schools in strategic areas in the Philippines.

ACTIVITIES:
1. Select and establish model clinical legal aid program in selected law schools
2. Organize learning visits to more established LACs
3. Develop a manual for the operation of a legal aid help desk and hotline
4. Support the establishment of a help desk and hotline in the new clinics
5. Disseminate information on the availability of legal services, held desk, and hotline in clinics