Over 60 Negrenses avail free counsel in College of Law’s legal clinic
As part of Law Week 2023, the University of St. La Salle College of Law conducted a free legal clinic at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center on March 24.
Twenty-seven lawyers from the law school’s esteemed Faculty and Alumni participated in the event. They were ably assisted by JD4 and JD3 Certified Law Student Practitioners.
Over 60 clients received legal counselling and advise for a host of legal issues including but not limited to family law matters such the annulment of marriage, child support and visitation rights; questions on property and ownership rights; a good number of civil, criminal, commercial, and labor relations cases; and issues on possible amicable settlement of existing disputes.
During the event, JD3 students also conducted small group discussions on R.A. No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act, in time for National Women's Month.
Law Dean, Atty. Rosanne Juliana Gonzaga shared: "We are blessed to have had the opportunity to serve the community by bringing justice closer to people especially the marginalized and the underserved sectors. The faith of people in the Rule of Law must be strengthened. To do this, we intend to bring our legal aid services to other areas of Negros Occidental."
The event was made possible through a partnership with Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and grateful for the support extended by the Province of Negros Occidental, the City Government of Bacolod, and the Office of Congressman Greg Gasataya.
The legal clinic has been an integral part of the USLS-COL’s Law Week activities, with the latest preceding legal clinic having been conducted in 2020. This year’s Law Week celebrations also included a four-day sportsfest and a webinar on mental health and wellness.*