Almost five years have passed since the Federal Law On Free Legal Aid in the Russian Federation aimed at creating conditions to ensure disadvantaged and other vulnerable citizens with qualified free legal assistance entered into force. However, amid the public and experts there are still discussions about the nature of such aid, and who, when and how should provide it. According to the Constitution, every Russian citizen has the right to receive qualified legal aid. But, not everyone and not always can receive it free of charge; these cases are regulated by the law.

All this and many other aspects were among the issues discussed by participants of the regular release of the ‘Human Rights’ programme which was aired on the Public Television of Russia channel (OTR) on 9 June.