The pro bono advocate shall study the case and advise the applicant on the best course of action. This may include giving legal advice, drafting of pleadings, legal representation before courts.
No. However, a record of every correspondence relevant to the case should be maintained by the applicant and the advocate for their records. Department of Justice may request periodic updates regarding the case.
Yes, the advocate is required to submit atleast a quarterly progress report to the Department regarding the cases handled by her/ him.
The advocate can refuse a case at the time of assignment or at a later stage, with prior information to the applicant and the Department, detailing the reasons for the same.
Subject to the availability, the services of one AoR associated with the Department may be provided in such cases.
No. Court fees will not apply if the application is filed under Order 33 of the Code of Civil Procedure which is applicable to ‘indigent persons’.
Incidental expenses like photocopying, posting and typing charges, if any, will be borne by the applicants themselves, based on actuals or as mutually agreed between the advocate and the applicant. In exceptional deserving cases, the Department of Justice may consider the reimbursement of incidental expenses incurred by the advocate.
At the first instance, the advocate may try to establish contact with the applicant. If he/she is unable to do so, the Department of Justice may also attempt to establish contact with the applicant. However, the onus lies with the applicant to contact the advocate.
Pro bono services are free. However, based on mutual understanding between the applicant and advocate, the applicant may be required to incur incidental expenses like photocopying, posting and typing charges.
At present, no certificate or identification card is issued to an advocate registered under the programme.