Baku:The Milli Majlis Committee on Legal Policy and State Building reviewed the draft law 'On Free Legal Aid' in a recent meeting. The draft law outlines the framework for providing free legal aid to eligible individuals in Azerbaijan, aiming to protect human and civil rights as well as legitimate interests.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the draft law includes five chapters and 14 articles, establishing the organizational, legal, and economic bases for free legal aid. It specifies that this aid is not applicable to matters involving international organizations or diplomatic entities of Azerbaijan.

Free legal aid will be funded by the state budget and allocated to the Bar Association. Eligible recipients include low-income individuals, families receiving state social assistance, unemployed persons with disabilities, registered unemployed individuals, families of martyrs, war veterans, victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, minors, refugees, political asylum seekers, and others in need of legal aid.

The law also includes provisions for individuals reporting corruption-related offenses, children deprived of parental care, persons released from penitentiary institutions for a year post-release, and those under probation supervision. The aid continues even if eligibility status changes during the application process.

Lawyers are required to provide 'pro bono' services, with penalties for non-compliance set at 18 manats per hour of service not rendered. Refusal to provide free legal aid without justification is strictly prohibited.