On this page, you will find individual information about free legal aid (BPP) in the Republic of Slovenia according to the provisions of the Free Legal Aid Act – ZBPP http://pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO1265, eligibility for this aid, and the procedure to obtain it. The aim of the Act is to ensure everyone access to a fair and effective legal system, and the protection of their rights and interests with the help of a legal professional or attorney.

What is free legal aid?

Free legal aid is a service provided and paid for by the Republic of Slovenia, i.e., its implementation requires a decision on the approval of BPP by the locally competent district court.

It allows individuals who meet the legal conditions to access legal services free of charge under certain conditions. This type of assistance is aimed at those who, for financial reasons, cannot afford to pay for legal services. The state covers the cost of your representation or attorney fees, and possibly other court costs, such as the costs of experts, court fees.

It is important to note that free legal aid for the beneficiary of free legal aid is not always and for all costs of the procedure "free".

It only covers the costs of representation of the beneficiary of the BPP (his attorney and his procedural costs), but not the costs of representation or the attorney and the procedure of the opposing party (e.g., expert fees).

If the income and property situation of the beneficiary improves during the procedure, he is obliged to immediately inform the Service for BPP, which will check whether the beneficiary still meets the conditions for BPP.

Can you receive free legal aid for all types of legal matters?

Free legal aid is generally available for most legal matters (e.g., for representation in inheritance proceedings, divorce proceedings and allocation of children, proceedings for the division and separation of marital property, labor disputes, criminal proceedings), but not for all. Matters related to economic and financial interests, and some criminal proceedings, are excluded.

The court typically grants it for each stage of the procedure, e.g., for representation at the first instance. In this case, for representation at the second instance, it is necessary to submit a new application or request for BPP approval.

Who is eligible for free legal aid?

Free legal aid is available to all individuals who do not reach the minimum statutory census of income and property.

Eligibility for free legal aid also depends on the number of family members, the amount of income per family member, and ultimately also the legal problem or procedure.

In the application for BPP, it is necessary to disclose and demonstrate income and property, and to state what you want the BPP for (e.g., for representation in divorce proceedings, a lawsuit related to inheritance, etc.).

Where can I apply for free legal aid?

If you wish to apply for free legal aid, you must fill out an application with a request for granting free legal aid, (https://e-uprava.gov.si/podrocja/vloge/vloga.html?id=1225) and submit it to the locally competent district court, attaching the necessary evidence (income, property, case, etc.).

Attorney selection

If you wish to be represented by attorney Jurij Kutnjak following the BPP decision, you can explicitly state this in your application, otherwise, the court will assign you an attorney in order from the BPP list. In case you are entitled to BPP, the court will follow your choice and appoint the attorney.

What legal services does free legal aid cover?

The Free Legal Aid Act stipulates for what purposes BPP is possible.

Free legal aid covers a wide range of legal services, typically granted for legal counseling and representation by an attorney before the court at the first instance.

Do I need to be a citizen of the Republic of Slovenia to apply for free legal aid?

No, free legal aid is also available to foreigners who are legally residing in the Republic of Slovenia, if they meet the conditions specified in the Free Legal Aid Act.

How long does the free legal aid approval process take?

As a rule, the Free Legal Aid Service of the locally competent district court will decide on your application or request for BPP within two weeks.

Decision on approval or rejection of the application for BPP

The court decides on the application with a decision. If the application is rejected, the decision is only sent to the applicant!

If the proposal is approved, the decision is sent to the applicant and the appointed attorney.

Attorney Jurij Kutnjak offers comprehensive legal assistance in matters related to free legal aid.

To make an appointment regarding the granting of free legal aid, call attorney Jurij Kutnjak during working hours at phone number 00 386/2/25-23-780 or write an email to info@odvetnik-kutnjak.si.

Useful links related to the article:

Legal articles:

FAQ (BPP)

Legal documents:

power of attorney for representation
application for granting BPP

Legislation:

• Free Legal Aid Act – ZBPP http://pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO1265
• and more...

   

Court practice:

- Supreme Court of the Republic of Slovenia, https://www.sodnapraksa.si/

Legal Notice:

The content of the articles is designed and intended for critical reflection and does not represent a legal opinion, legal advice, or recommendation from attorney Jurij Kutnjak or his law office.

Answers to questions, and other content on this page, are simplified for better understanding and, despite efforts, may contain errors, therefore the attorney does not guarantee their correctness or completeness. They should only serve as a starting point for a more detailed examination of a particular issue.

The articles do not replace specific legal advice and do not constitute a legal basis for a mandate relationship. Before making any decisions and before any action, always consult with a lawyer or another legal professional.

Attorney Jurij Kutnjak does not assume responsibility for decisions or legal consequences of actions taken based on the articles on this page. The liability for damages and any other responsibility of attorney Jurij Kutnjak or his law office is excluded.

Note:

Expressions in the text used in the masculine gender are used neutrally and refer to persons of all genders.

The original content of the web pages is prepared in the Slovenian language. The content of the web pages in English and German is prepared in translation from the Slovenian text, does not represent a certified translation, and only serves for comparative study of a particular legal issue.