Source: HRO.org (info), 16/05/12

· Human rights defenders  · Marii El

From 16 May and during the course of a year the regional NGO Individual and the Law is inviting residents of the city of Yoshkar-Ola to attend a legal clinic. The human rights defenders will give free legal help on how to go to court. 

Especially for this purpose working space has been equipped, a computer has been allocated and the necessary office supplies have been purchased. Anyone who so wishes can go to the office of the human rights organisation and independently lodge a complaint or bring a  claim in the courts under the guidance of a qualified legal specialist.

The public clinic will be open daily from 09.00 until 18.00.

“Situations sometimes arise when the cost of an advocate’s services is more that the sum for which the lawsuit is brought”, says chair of Individual & the Law, Irina Protasova. “In actual fact, independently going to court is not all that complicated. All that is needed is the desire to do it, the ability to use the internet, and also access to one of the legal data bases, such as Konsultant Plus. It is important that citizens are taught to defend their rights independently. Thus you can gain experience and this will give you confidence in any life situation. Our lawyers are prepared to give you their help and support!" 

This initiative has become possible within the framework of the project “Improving the work of the courts through changing the attitude of citizens, lawyers, government bodies and judges themselves to the courts.”