Filipinos have often faced challenges in directly accessing legal services, given the cost, inconvenience due to distance, and lack of time, among many factors. As a result, providing legal services remotely has become a desirable alternative for both legal service providers (LSPs) and their clients.
With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, it has become even more apparent that providing legal services remotely is not only necessary to meet the needs of clients but is also in the best interest of public health to reduce the spread of the virus. In addition, the pandemic has created an increased need for legal services in areas such as housing and evictions, public benefits, law enforcement, and employment. Thus, the need to provide remote legal services has become even more critical.
In a recent report by the global paralegal and legal empowerment network Namati, the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) Online Legal Counseling Service was highlighted for best practices in adopting digital platforms to provide legal services remotely in light of the pandemic.
As an initiative to address the growing concerns of Filipinos in need of legal assistance when the Philippines was placed under lockdown last March 2020, the AHRC Online Legal Counseling Service provides free online legal assistance and Know Your Rights infographics and information through Facebook and Facebook Messenger. A team of law student interns and supervising lawyers addresses inquiries received through these platforms where questions are screened and prioritized based on urgency, including whether or not they are related to COVID-19.
If inquiries are more complicated and require further action, the AHRC acts as an intermediary between individuals and a legal hub of other legal service providers formed in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights. Inquiries regarding particularly sensitive issues, such as domestic violence or whistleblower matters, are taken offline and communications resume through SMS or call.
Since its inception in March 2020, the AHRC Online Legal Counseling Service has helped over 600 individuals in receiving free legal assistance remotely. In addition, the project is part of the AHRC’s mandate to promote and protect human rights in the country, following the increasing number of human rights concerns in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s lockdown protocols.
The full publication can be found here: https://namati.org/resources/providing-legal-services-remotely-guide-2021/
