The implementation of the republican Law on free legal assistance was discussed at a meeting of the Presidium of the State Council
A meeting of the Presidium of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan was held today, at which Justice Minister Rustem Zagidullin reported on the implementation of the Law of the Republic on the provision of free legal assistance. The Minister spoke about the performance indicators in this area over the past three years, and also shared information about implemented and planned projects.
In his report, he noted that two systems of providing free legal assistance have been formed in the republic: state and non-state.
The participants of the state system in the Republic of Tatarstan are the executive authorities of the republic, institutions subordinate to them, the State Legal Bureau, lawyers, notaries, and since March 2024, the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Tatarstan.
The non-governmental system includes legal clinics established at higher educational institutions and non-governmental centers for free legal assistance.
Thus, from 2021 to the present, republican executive authorities, the State Legal Bureau of the Republic of Tatarstan and lawyers have provided legal assistance to more than 3,800 citizens. Legal clinics and a non-governmental center for free legal assistance have provided legal assistance to more than 2,500 citizens.
Rustem Zagidullin clarified that free legal advice is provided to certain categories of citizens. Among them are poor citizens, disabled people, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, veterans of labor, as well as disabled children, orphans and children left without parental care and others. The full list of categories can be viewed on the official website of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tatarstan in the «Free legal assistance» tab.
«However, if in the course of work, questions arise from citizens who do not belong to the categories listed in the law, they are not denied assistance», - he added.
According to the minister, in 2023, the poor, participants in a special military operation and their family members, as well as people with disabilities of groups I and II, most often applied to participants in the state system.
Rustem Zagidullin noted that in July last year, changes were made to the republican law on free legal assistance. The category of citizens entitled to free legal assistance includes military personnel who participate or participated in the SVO, mobilized, contractors, volunteers, and members of their families.
«In total, during the past year, legal assistance was provided to 286 participants of the SVO and their family members, since the beginning of this year – 309», - he said.
During his speech, the Minister drew special attention to the work of the Unified State Portal of Legal Education and Free Legal Assistance to the THERIGHT.RF, where everyone can use up-to-date and easy-to-explain legal information and get free legal assistance.
Today, the Portal already contains step-by-step instructions with templates for more than 50 life situations. «For example, you can find out how to get a pension, get free medicines, or what to do if wages are not paid. All actions are described in the step-by-step instructions. You can also make an appointment at the State Legal Bureau of the Republic of Tatarstan through the portal», - Rustem Zagidullin stressed.
The members of the Presidium noted the need to strengthen measures aimed at informing citizens about the possibilities and ways of obtaining free legal assistance.