This follows the entry into force of the Act on Free Legal Aid and Legal Education, adopted on 5 August 2015. The points will be open five days a week for four hours a day, also taking into account the need to provide these services in the afternoon.
Free legal aid will be provided to eligible individuals, whose group is specified in detail in the adopted legislation. It will be available to:
- young people up to 26 years of age
- people holding a valid Large Family Card
- seniors over 65 years of age
- individuals who, during the preceding year, were granted a social assistance benefit under the Social Assistance Act
- combatants
- veterans
- people threatened by or affected by a natural disaster, natural calamity or technical failure.
Furthermore, the legislator precisely defined the scope of the legal aid provided. Free legal aid will include:
- informing the eligible person about the applicable legal situation, their rights or their obligations, or
- indicating to the eligible person how to resolve their legal problem, or
- assistance in preparing a draft letter in matters referred to in points 1 and 2, excluding pleadings in pending preparatory or court proceedings and documents in pending administrative court proceedings, or
- preparing a draft application for exemption from court costs or appointment of a court-appointed representative in court proceedings, or appointment of an advocate, legal adviser, tax adviser or patent attorney in administrative court proceedings.
Under the Act, free legal aid does not cover matters concerning:
- taxes related to conducting business activity
- customs, foreign exchange and commercial law
- conducting business activity, except for preparations to start such activity.
Free legal aid will be provided by advocates and legal advisers. However, at points operated by non-governmental organisations, advice may also be provided by tax advisers and graduates of higher legal studies with at least three years of experience, and in particularly justified cases also by trainee advocates or legal advisers acting under the authorisation of the respective advocate or legal adviser providing free legal aid.
Zgorzelec County/ii