The LBA’s legal aid programme (LBA Legal Aid) strives to enhance access to justice to members of the general public by providing free legal advice at various legal aid clinics.

Furthermore, the LBA Legal Aid aims to assist the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged persons of the society who for lack of finances, geographical reasons or other impediments to accessing legal services, are not able to receive legal representation.  Documents in relation to LBA Legal Aid are available here.

1. What is Legal Aid?
LBA Legal Aid is the provision of free legal advice and representation by members of the LBA to eligible members of the public who request and are eligible to receive legal assistance.

2. Who is eligible for Legal Aid?
There are two forms of legal aid provided by the LBA
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Firstly, all members of the public requiring one-off legal assistance are encouraged to visit or contact one of the LBA’s Legal Aid clinics (described below) and discuss their issue with an LBA member, who will provide on-the-spot recommendations. Legal Aid is provided by initially providing legal services in some civil, criminal and family law matters where the legal problems or disputes may relate to issues such as divorce, maintenance, custody of children, rape, domestic violence, human trafficking and criminal defence.

Secondly, those individuals and groups who are recognised by the LBA as not being able to access or as having significant barriers to accessing legal services, such as poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, are eligible for ongoing legal representation and other services in the resolution of their legal issue. 

In order to ensure that the rule of law is firmly established in the Lao PDR, there is a great need for these individuals to have access to free legal services where those would be otherwise unattainable. LBA Legal Aid therefore welcomes and assists poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals with legal problems and disputes.

3. Where is legal aid available?
Network of LBA offices - Provision of Free Legal Services through Provincial and Unit Offices
The LBA has a network of offices which provide legal aid services. This includes 9 unit offices covering Vientiane. LBA Legal Aid is or will soon be available from each of these unit offices.  The contact details for these unit offices are listed here.

Legal Aid Clinic - Vientiane
LBA Legal Aid is also provided through a legal aid clinic in Vientiane which is currently housed at the head office of the Lao Bar Association at Vientiane Capital Court.  The legal aid clinic in Vientiane can be contacted through the details listed here.

The Vientiane Legal Aid clinic also provides a telephone hotline service each Saturday from 4pm until 5pm through which members of the public can receive legal advice.  The legal aid telephone hotline number can be contacted through the details listed here.

Legal Aid Clinics - Oudonxai and Champasack
A clinic in Champasack and a clinic in Oudomxai have recently been established. The contact details for these clinics are listed here.

Mobile Legal Aid Clinic - Vientiane
LBA Legal Aid is also provided through a mobile legal aid clinic which commenced visiting villages around Vientiane Capital province in December 2008. If you would like the clinic to visit your village please call the LBA Legal Aid Clinic – Vientiane at the contact details here or contact your village authority.

4. Legal Aid - Staffing and Administration
Legal Aid is currently supervised by a legal aid clinic manager and other support and administrative staff who in turn are being supported by international volunteers. Legal Aid relies on the support of members of the LBA.  Legal Aid also values the involvement of LBA Interns and students of Faculty of Law and Political Science, National University of Laos, who support legal aid lawyers in different capacities.
 
For more information on volunteering see here.

5. Role of Legal Aid Sub-Committee
The legal aid sub-committee of the LBA is responsible for coordinating the activities of Legal Aid and provides guidance for effective implementation of the Legal Aid programme.

6. Donations
Legal Aid welcomes donations from all segments of society, the corporate sector and those interested in alleviating legal issues and problems of the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens of the Lao PDR. For further information, please contact the Legal Aid Clinic, Vientiane office, at the contact details here.

7. Collaboration
Legal Aid is keen to work with Justice Sector Partners, Women and Children Groups and Organizations, Donors and International Non-Governmental Organizations. 

Legal Aid also seeks to cooperate with legal aid organizations, Bar Associations and Law Societies in the ASEAN region and beyond.

The LBA would be keen to hear from anyone who would like to work in partnership with LBA Legal Aid or can provide training or education opportunities for LBA Legal Aid.  For further information, please contact the LBA at the contact details here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Eligibility Criteria for receiving Legal Aid?
A. All members of the public are able to receive free legal advice at the LBA Legal Clinics, the Mobile Legal Clinic, or via the Legal Aid hotline.

For ongoing matters requiring legal representation, LBA Legal Aid services are available for people who are poor, vulnerable or disadvantages.  If you think you fall within these criteria, and would like legal assistance or advice, please contact LBA Legal Aid.

Q. How Can I Get LBA Legal Aid?
A. The contact details for LBA Legal Aid services are listed here.

If there is no service available where you live, please contact the Legal Aid Clinic – Vientiane for advice or ask an official from the People's Court or People's Prosecutor to write a letter to our Vientiane legal aid clinic requesting assistance on your behalf.

Q. What are the documents, which I need to bring with me in order to receive legal aid?
A. No particular documents are needed to receive initial Legal Aid advice.

Should you need to receive Legal Aid representation on an ongoing basis, you will need to provide certain documents, including an Identity Card. You may also be required to provide a Certification of Village Office that you are poor and cannot afford a lawyer.  

Other documents may include documents relating to the legal issue/dispute and any court documents.

Q. Who will help me apply for LBA Legal Aid?
A. Legal aid staff will help you to fill an application form for legal aid and the services you may be eligible for.

Q. What types of cases are covered by LBA Legal Aid?
A. Currently, the LBA Legal Aid clinic is providing legal advice and representation in civil, criminal, land title and family law cases and disputes.

Q. I do have some earnings but not enough to engage a Lawyer. Am I eligible for LBA Legal Aid?
A. All members of the public are able to receive free legal advice at the LBA Legal Clinics, the Mobile Legal Aid clinic, or via the Legal Aid hotline.

For ongoing matters requiring legal representation, and depending on people's circumstances and ability to pay, LBA Legal Aid will consider your circumstances and decide on the provision of legal aid to you.
 
Q. I am a Law Student in Vientiane and I am interested in Volunteering at the Legal Aid Clinic. What shall I do?
A. The LBA welcomes and values participation of law students in its legal aid programme.  Participation is a highly effective way for students to learn more about being a lawyer, and to gain opportunities to learn more about the law and legal skills.  
For more information about volunteering, and to see what opportunities are available for volunteering with the LBA, see here.

Q. I want to make financial donation to the legal aid clinic. How can I do so?
A. Please contact the LBA Legal Aid clinic in Vientiane for further information. Contact details are available here.