BUSAN METROPOLITAN CITY ORDINANCE ON ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF PRO BONO LEGAL AID CENTER
Enacted by Ordinance No. 6582, Dec. 29, 2021
- Article 1 (Purpose)
- The purpose of this Ordinance is to resolve the inconvenience of citizens and protect their rights and interests arising from various legal issues from daily life by prescribing matters necessary for the establishment and operation of a pro bono legal aid center.
- Article 2 (Location of Aid Center)
- A pro bono legal aid center (hereinafter referred to as the "Aid Center") shall be established within the premises of the Busan Metropolitan City Hall, and where necessary, may be additionally established at a separate location as deemed fit.
- Article 3 (Scope of Aid)
- The scope of legal aid (hereinafter referred to as "aid") shall be as follows:
- 1. Matters related to administrative, civil, criminal, and family cases concerning civic life;
- 2. Matters related to interpretation of various laws, etc.;
- 3. Other matters related to the laws concerning civic life.
- Article 4 (Persons Eligible for Aid)
- (1) Persons eligible for aid shall be citizens, businesspersons, workers, etc. who have a registered address or residence within the jurisdiction of Busan Metropolitan City.
- (2) Socially vulnerable persons, such as eligible recipients under the National Basic Living Security Act and persons with disabilities registered under the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, shall be prioritized when providing aid.
- Article 5 (Methods of Providing Aid)
- Aid shall primarily be conducted through in-person visits to the Aid Center but may be provided through telephone and online consultations, etc. as deemed necessary.
- Article 6 (Legal Advisers)
- (1) Legal advisers shall be commissioned by the Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City (hereinafter referred to as the "Mayor") from among attorneys-at-law or persons with extensive knowledge of and experience in various laws and dispute mediation.
- (2) For the operation of and support for the Aid Center, an aid officer shall be appointed who shall be the person responsible for the duties of the Aid Center.
- Article 7 (Provision of Aid)
- (1) When a person visits the Aid Center to seek aid, a reply shall primarily be provided on-site: Provided, That a separate reply may be provided for matters requiring additional review or matters necessitating consultations with relevant departments.
- (2) An aid officer may notify relevant departments or institutions of important matters attained through the process of providing aid for reference in the performance of duties.
- Article 8 (Retention of Records)
- An aid officer shall prepare and manage the aid management record book, to retain and manage records on the operation of the Aid Center.
- Article 9 (Confidentiality)
- (1) No legal adviser or related public official shall divulge any confidential information attained through the process of providing aid.
- (2) No legal adviser shall receive any fees for the provision of aid or money and valuables, etc. for any other reason related to the consultation.
- Article 10 (Stipend)
- The Mayor may provide legal advisers with a stipend or reimbursements for travel expenses, etc., within the budget.
- Article 11 (Awards)
- The Mayor may grant an award to a legal adviser who has significantly contributed to aid services in accordance with the Busan Metropolitan City Ordinance on Awards.
- Article 12 (Operating Rules)
- Matters necessary for the operation of the Aid Center shall be separately determined by the Mayor.
ADDENDUM
- This Ordinance shall enter into force on January 1, 2022.
