Public interest law organizations serving marginalized and underserved communities may gain access to financial assistance and legal protections under new Supreme Court (SC) rules formally recognizing developmental and social change (DSC) lawyering as a distinct legal practice.
Under A.M. No. 24-07-24-SC, promulgated on August 26, 2026, the SC En Banc established an accreditation system for qualified organizations through the Rules on Institutionalizing Support for Developmental and Social Change Lawyering, the Court announced on October 23.
The measure seeks to address limited institutional support for organizations engaged in legal representation, strategic litigation, policy advocacy, legal education, and community organizing.
“Their work is often viewed as an act of benevolence rather than recognized as a distinct and vital form of lawyering that enhances access to justice and strengthens communities’ capacity to assert their rights,” the resolution stated.
To qualify for accreditation, organizations must have operated for at least five years as not-for-profit groups primarily assisting marginalized and underserved communities, with demonstrated financial transparency and accountability.
Initial accreditation will be valid for three years, with subsequent renewals covering five years.
However, organizations found to have committed fraud in their accreditation documents or engaged in red-tagging, terrorist branding, and similar activities may be denied accreditation.
Once accredited, organizations may apply for financial assistance, obtain exemptions from legal fees in specified cases, and invoke protections against strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) under the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases.
To finance these benefits, the rules establish a DSC Fund supported partly by government appropriations, with additional funding permitted from private donations and grants.
Applications for financial assistance are voluntary and separate from accreditation.
For grants sourced from public appropriations, at least 60% must fund personnel compensation and benefits, while the remaining allocation may support programs, activities, and emergency security measures.
In turn, recipient organizations must submit financial, liquidation, and accomplishment reports, with noncompliance potentially resulting in suspension or revocation of accreditation.
To administer these mechanisms, a DSC Council attached to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National Center for Legal Aid will oversee accreditation and funding.
While the SC will retain oversight powers, the rules require respect for the independence and autonomy of accredited organizations.
The measure complements the Unified Legal Aid Service Rules, which require covered lawyers to render 60 hours of pro bono legal services over three years, while the DSC Rules focus on sustaining organizations engaged in full-time public interest lawyering.
The new rules will take effect following complete publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of national circulation, and on the websites of the SC and IBP.
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