The Supreme Court (SC) will launch the first phase of its Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) Portal on March 3, 2026, introducing a centralized digital platform designed to streamline how lawyers report and monitor compliance with mandatory pro bono legal aid services for underprivileged Filipinos.
The rollout, to be held at the SC En Banc Session Hall and livestreamed on the court’s official social media channels, will demonstrate the portal’s initial features, including verification of registered organizations, submission of intent by organizations to aggregate or “pool” compliance, and accreditation of legal outreach programs and missions.
Registration in the ULAS Portal will require secure authentication, account management, and profile setup. Lawyers covered by the ULAS Rules must first create an account in the Philippine Judiciary Platform, which will serve as the entry point to the new system.
The program will also feature instructional materials and practical guidance on how lawyers can comply with ULAS requirements, alongside shared best practices from practitioners.
Under the ULAS Rules, covered lawyers are required to render at least 60 hours of legal aid services every three years to individuals who cannot afford adequate legal representation.
The mandate is rooted in Article III, Section 11 of the Constitution, which guarantees free access to courts and quasi-judicial bodies and ensures that legal assistance shall not be denied due to poverty.
Members of the public may also watch the launch online to learn how qualified beneficiaries can access free legal services through the program.
In conjunction with the launch, the ULAS Office (ULASO) will hold an inter-agency partnership ceremony and sign a memorandum of understanding with the National Anti-Poverty Commission, Commission on Human Rights, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.
The agencies are expected to coordinate with ULASO in identifying and referring individuals who may qualify for free legal assistance.
SC associate justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, chairperson of the ULAS Board, said additional portal features — such as logging legal aid services rendered and submitting applications or attestations for exclusion — will be introduced in later phases targeted for rollout within the year.
Under ULAS Advisory No. 1, Series of 2025, covered lawyers have been allowed to begin recording pro bono legal aid services as early as January 1, 2025, marking the start of the First Compliance Period even before the portal becomes fully operational.
Recognized services include court or quasi-judicial representation, legal counseling, document drafting, developmental legal assistance, participation in legal outreach activities, and notarization.
The First Compliance Period is set to run until December 31, 2027.
