Covered Procedures

The procedures covered by the program include civil lawsuits, family lawsuits, administrative lawsuits, demand procedures, and motions for provisional seizures and provisional dispositions.

How to Apply for Litigation Aid

If you are about to file a lawsuit, you can apply for litigation aid with the court where you intend to file the lawsuit. If you are involved in a pending lawsuit, you can file an application with the court keeping the records regarding your case. Foreigners and juristic persons are also eligible for litigation aid.

• ※ The Litigation Aid Application Form and the Property Relation Statement Form are available at the Public Service Office of each court. You can also download them from the Forms menu at the Electronic Public Service Center (http://help.scourt.go.kr).

Covered Costs

The costs covered by litigation aid include stamp fees, service fees, attorney’s fees, travel expenses for witnesses, appraisal fees, and other costs set forth in the relevant laws incurred before or during the litigation.

Requirements for Litigation Aid

To receive legal aid, you need to meet two requirements: 1) it is not obvious that the court will decide against you; and 2) you are not financially capable of paying for the legal costs.

You are not financially capable of paying for the legal costs.

It is not obvious that the court will decide against you.

Supporting Materials for Financial Incapability

You are required to file the following supporting materials along with your Property Relation Statement. Please see the Property Relation Statement Form for further details.

Required attachments

• ① Certified copy of resident register or certificate of family registry (that indicates your family relations), certificate of real estate register for all records (certified copy of register), certified copy of car register, copy of your bankbook, status of balance of entrusted deposits, and copies of other membership certificates
• ② Please attach the following documents as applicable.
  · Copy of an aid decision issued by the Korean Legal Aid Corporation
  · Workers and business owners: Income withholding receipt, statement of remuneration payment, statement of national health insurance fee imposition, certificate of national pension subscription / summary of national pension record, and certificate of income amount
  · Public officials: Certificate of employment or copy of public official identification
  · Patriots and veterans: Document that states veteran status
  · Eligible recipients of basic livelihood security under the National Basic Living Security Act: Certificate English of eligible recipient status
  · Eligible persons for support under the Single-Parent Family Support Act: Certificate of single-parent family status
  · Eligible recipients under the Basic Pension Act: Certificate of basic pension benefit or copy of bankbook stating the history of basic pension payments
  · Eligible recipients under the Disability Pension Act: Certificate of eligible recipient status or copy of bankbook stating the history of disability pension payments
  · Eligible persons for protection under the North Korean Refugees Protection and Settlement Support Act: Certificate of North Korean refugee registration
  · Households headed by minors: Certificate of family registry
  · Low-income persons under the National Basic Living Security Act: Statement of national health insurance fee imposition, certificate of national pension subscription / summary of national pension record, certificate of income amount, certificate of local tax taxation itemized, and house lease contract
  · Foreigners: Copy of passport or copy of foreigner registration
  · Juristic persons: Balance sheet, property list, business report, and income statement

I have been granted a litigation aid decision. How can I find a lawyer for my case?

A litigant who has been granted a litigation aid decision can retain any lawyer by informing him/her of the litigation aid decision, subject to the lawyer’s acceptance.

What if I cannot find a lawyer who is willing to take my case?