(VOVworld) – The Law on Legal Assistance passed in 2006 specified mechanisms for lawyers to provide legal assistance to people. At the Central Committee for Reception of Citizens, thousands of people have been given free legal advice.
The 2006 Law on Legal Assistance specifies that lawyers have to provide up to 8 hours of free legal advice a year. Lawyers have provided legal advice and helped people exercise their rights of denunciation and complaint.
Between July, 2015, and January, 2016, 166 lawyers gave free legal advice to 1,000 people at the Central Committee for Reception of Citizens in Hanoi. Nguyen Van Pha, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, said: “After receiving legal advice, people can decide to withdraw their complaint or file proceed their file to relevant authorities.”
Lawyer Nguyen Thai Hoa of the Hanoi Bar Association said petitioners often arrive in a furious mood, dissatisfied with a local government’s decision and wanting to appeal. The lawyers listen to their concerns and give them sensible advice. Hoa said: “People come to the Central Committee for Reception of Citizens with complicated petitions. The lawyers must listen to their concerns and thoroughly examine their cases and related information from the local administration.”
The Law on Legal Assistance has exposed certain weaknesses and confusion. At the 2nd session of the 14th National Assembly, deputies have debated a revised Law on Legal Assistance in response to social demands.