PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES IN QATAR

PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES IN QATAR

What is pro bono?

Pro bono publico, usually shortened to pro bono, is a Latin phrase for professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment.

There are a number of free legal services and lawyers that do pro-bono cases in Qatar. These services are available to people who cannot afford to pay for legal representation.

Who provides pro bono legal service in Qatar?

The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) offers free legal advice, assistance, and representation to individuals who cannot afford it. This is known as pro bono work, which means "for the public good." Lawyers who volunteer their time and expertise provide this service to people with limited financial means who are involved in civil and commercial disputes, regulatory appeals, or other legal matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the Qatar International Court or QFC Regulatory Tribunal.

Partners at QICDRC volunteering their free services include Al Marri & El Hage Law Office, Al-Abda Legal Consultants, Al Majd Law Firm, Al Sulaiti Law Firm, Al Thani Law Firm, Asma Ali Advocate & Legal Consultant, Badri and Salim El Meouchi Law Firm, Clyde & Co, Essa Al Sulaiti Law Firm, McNair Chambers LLC, Omani & Partners Law Firm LLP, and Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners.

In addition to the firms partnering with QICDRC, The College Of Law at Qatar University hosts a Law Clinic. With a mission to establish better legal education in the country, the Clinic provides legal aid to the vulnerable groups in the Qatari society through legal representation, besides carrying out legal projects in legislative drafting and legal reform, raising awareness about legal rights through a street law program, and reporting on human rights violations through fact finding missions and monitoring mechanisms.

Several other law firms provide pro bono services as well, such as Sharq Law Firm - one of the most prestigious firms with several local and international awards in various fields of expertise. Their team includes lawyers who are qualified to practice the legal profession in the State of Qatar as well as in other GCC countries, giving them the potential to provide their clients with a variety of effective and high-quality services. 

What does pro bono legal assistance look like in Qatar?

Pro bono work is legal work that is done for free or at a reduced rate, and hence is often done by lawyers who want to give back to their community or who want to help people who cannot afford legal representation. These lawyers typically work on a case-by-case basis and may have specific criteria for accepting pro-bono cases. You can also contact a private lawyer directly to inquire about pro-bono services.

Some common examples of what these lawyers can do fo you include, but are not limited to:

• Representing you in court
• Providing legal advice
• Helping you fill out legal forms
• Educating you and the community about their legal rights

What are some of the most common cases of pro bono work in Qatar?

Here are some of the pro-bono cases that lawyers in Qatar have worked on:

• A case involving a woman who was seeking a divorce from her abusive husband.
• A case involving a man who was wrongfully accused of a crime.
• A case involving a child who was in need of special education services.
• A case involving a family who was facing eviction from their home.

What do I do if I want to provide pro bono legal service to people?

Pro bono work can have a significant impact on the lives of people who need it. It can help people get the justice they deserve, protect their rights, and navigate the legal system.

There are many ways to find pro bono opportunities. If you are a lawyer, you can contact the local bar association, law school, or legal aid organization to help you reach more people. You can also search for pro bono opportunities online and provide legal aid to people miles away from home.