Catalan Government Boosts Free Legal Aid with €22.8M Investment
Agreements with CICAC add €5.7M yearly for four years and €74.2M for 2026 duty roster, enhancing services in key judicial districts like La Seu.
Key Points
- €22.8M over four years (€5.7M/year) to strengthen free legal aid structure.
- €74.2M for 2026 duty roster, up €1.82M from prior year.
- 2.5% compensation increase, new modules, reinforcements in Figueres, Cervera, Balaguer, La Seu d'Urgell.
- La Seu d'Urgell shifts to attendance-based pay; emphasis on training in immigration, violence, minors.
The Catalan government and the Catalan Bar Council (CICAC) have signed agreements to strengthen free legal aid services across Catalonia, with specific enhancements for the La Seu d'Urgell judicial district.
The deals include an additional €5.7 million annually for four years—totaling €22.8 million by 2029—to bolster the structural framework of free legal assistance. A new annual agreement for the 2026 duty roster service allocates €74.2 million, marking an increase of €1.82 million from the previous year.
Key changes involve a 2.5% rise in compensation modules for duty lawyers, the addition of new modules, and targeted reinforcements in districts including Figueres, Santa Coloma de Farners, Cervera, Balaguer, and La Seu d'Urgell. These measures aim to tailor services to each judicial district's local realities, where courts operate and free legal aid is provided.
In La Seu d'Urgell, the duty system for detainees will shift from a weekly rota to compensation based on actual attendances. Officials described this as better suited to the area's needs and intervention frequency, allowing more efficient resource use.
Free legal aid covers lawyer assistance for detainees, duty counsel appointments, and support in civil, criminal, social, administrative, or family proceedings under current regulations. The updates expand coverage and introduce improvements without cutting existing services.
The agreement emphasises professional training and specialisation, with stricter requirements in areas such as immigration, gender-based violence, minors, and prison matters to ensure high-quality handling of complex cases. It also adjusts payments to reflect real workloads and territorial demands, promoting equitable access nationwide.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: