Free legal aid program sees expansion

Quality control encouraged

When the legislation is complete, "appropriate authorities could clarify their tasks and work closely to improve the quality and professionalism of legal assistance and protect people's legitimate rights", said Zheng Huiyun, director of the Beijing Legal Aid Department.

She said the application procedures for legal aid services should be regulated, and more effort should be devoted to evaluating the quality of legal aid services and the mechanism for handling complaints from recipients of legal aid.

In addition, authorities, including the Ministry of Finance, should invest special funds to support the legal aid program and increase lawyers' subsidies for legal assistance. At present, a lawyer only receives an average of 1,500 yuan for a civil case and 1,200 yuan for a criminal case, she said.

According to Sun of the legal aid department, the ministry plans to invest at least 400 million yuan to support legal aid this year, and it also plans to increase lawyers' subsidies for legal assistance.

Sun said the legal aid departments under local justice authorities will also establish an online updated database of legal aid recipients.

zhangyan1@chinadaily.com.cn