Singh Raaijmakers Lawyers provides free legal aid from a pro bono lawyer

At Singh Raaijmakers Lawyers, we believe that everyone is entitled to high-quality, specialised legal help, even when a person lacks the financial means to pay for legal representation. Our lawyers therefore set ample time aside for pro bono cases. After all, helping people who are in trouble is what drove us to study law in the first place.

What is pro bono and what is a pro bono lawyer?

The term ‘pro bono’ denotes legal services provided for free or at a reduced rate. The Dutch legal system provides legal aid to people of limited means. Therefore, anyone in need of professional legal aid but unable to (fully) bear the costs is entitled to call upon the provisions as set down in the Legal Aid Act. A pro bono lawyer does not work for free: you pay a small contribution and the government bears the remaining costs. This scheme is also called government-funded or subsidised legal aid.

Who determines if I qualify for free legal aid from a pro bono lawyer?

The administration and supervision of government-funded legal aid is entrusted to the Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand). In most cases, your lawyer will receive a monetary allowance from the Raad voor Rechtsbijstand, and you will only pay what you can afford. The size of your contribution depends on your income level. If you qualify for subsidised legal aid, the costs of your pro bono lawyer will be fully or partially covered by the state.

Am I eligible for free legal aid?

Eligibility for free legal aid or a pro bono lawyer depends on your income level as well as other available financial means, such as savings. Specific information about government-funded legal aid eligibility based on income and other financial criteria can be read on this webpage or www.rvr.org.

How do I obtain free legal aid or a subsidised lawyer?

You do not have to apply for subsidised legal aid yourself. Your legal representative at Singh Raaijmakers Lawyers can file a petition for you. Do you require assistance with a legal problem, but do not have the financial means to pay for it? Then don’t hesitate to contact us. At Singh Raaijmakers Lawyers, we believe that everyone is entitled to representation when faced with a legal problem!

Financed legal aid

If you are not capable of (completely) satisfying the costs of legal assistance, you can still request our services. In certain circumstances, you may be entitled to financed legal aid. We can file a petition at the Legal Aid Council. If your case is accepted, the council will charge you a small contribution (depending on your income), while the remaining legal aid charges will be carried by the government.

Criteria

The decision to grant financed legal aid will be determined by key criteria.

1. The legal problem
2. The financial interests of the case
3. Your income
4. Other means aside from income