SINGAPORE: Another 300,000 people will benefit as a result of the amendments to the Legal Aid and Advice Act which take effect from July 1.
Legal aid in Singapore is administered by the Legal Aid Bureau, a department under the Ministry of Law.
The Law Ministry said with the amendments, legal aid will be extended to more Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, enabling greater access to justice to those who need but cannot afford basic legal services.
The amendments to the act were passed in February this year.
From July 1, to be eligible for legal aid, applicants must pass both a Means Test and a Merits Test.
Under the Means Test previously, an applicant's annual disposable income and disposable capital cannot exceed S$10,000 respectively.
Under the Merits Test, the Legal Aid Board will assess whether the applicant's case has merit from the legal perspective.
To foster greater self-ownership of legal aid cases, applicants will have to pay a contribution to the Legal Aid Bureau.
The quantum of contribution payable will be based on their financial means and the extent of work done by the Bureau.
All applicants who are granted legal aid will be subjected to Third-Party Casino Exclusion from August 1, 2013.
Under Third-Party Casino Exclusion, applicants shall not enter, remain in or take part in any gaming on any local casino premises. The exclusion will remain in force until all active legal aid cases involving the applicant are closed.
Legal aid in Singapore is administered by the Legal Aid Bureau, a department under the Ministry of Law.
The Law Ministry said with the amendments, legal aid will be extended to more Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, enabling greater access to justice to those who need but cannot afford basic legal services.
The amendments to the act were passed in February this year.
From July 1, to be eligible for legal aid, applicants must pass both a Means Test and a Merits Test.
Under the Means Test previously, an applicant's annual disposable income and disposable capital cannot exceed S$10,000 respectively.
Under the Merits Test, the Legal Aid Board will assess whether the applicant's case has merit from the legal perspective.
To foster greater self-ownership of legal aid cases, applicants will have to pay a contribution to the Legal Aid Bureau.
The quantum of contribution payable will be based on their financial means and the extent of work done by the Bureau.
All applicants who are granted legal aid will be subjected to Third-Party Casino Exclusion from August 1, 2013.
Under Third-Party Casino Exclusion, applicants shall not enter, remain in or take part in any gaming on any local casino premises. The exclusion will remain in force until all active legal aid cases involving the applicant are closed.
