Lawyers will be prohibited from unjustifiably refusing to provide free legal aid.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the provision is included in a newly drafted bill on free legal aid.
The bill was discussed at a meeting of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) Committee on Legal Policy and State Building today.
Under the bill, people with disabilities who need assistance from specialist intermediaries when contacting a lawyer working independently or a law firm for free legal aid will receive the services of specialist intermediaries, including readers and professional sign-language interpreters, at the expense of the state budget.
If lawyers fail to comply with the requirement to provide free legal aid, they will pay the Bar Association 18 manats for every hour of pro bono legal services not provided.
The proposed rules address access to legal assistance for people with disabilities by providing for state-funded communication support. Free legal aid is legal assistance provided without charge to eligible recipients; the bill sets out a payment obligation for lawyers who do not meet the pro bono service requirement.
