財團法人法律扶助基金會

Legal aid is assistance provided to people who need professional legal help but cannot afford litigation costs and attorney fees. It protects basic human rights, such as the right to litigation and equality, guaranteed by the Constitution.
The Legal Aid Foundation (LAF) has 22 branches around Taiwan and an Indigenous Legal Service Center that offer services such as legal consultation and application for pro bono lawyers.

After a civil society campaign and strong support from the judiciary, the Legal Aid Act was passed by the Legislative Yuan on December 23, 2003, and promulgated by President Chen Shui-bian on January 7, 2004. This was welcomed as a significant development for laborers, women, children, indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable groups who previously struggled with legal needs. The LAF would ensure that they no longer faced insurmountable legal obstacles.

According to the provisions of the Legal Aid Act, funding was primarily to be provided by the Judicial Yuan with other contributions from relevant government agencies and civil society organizations. The LAF officially completed incorporation on April 22, 2004, and began accepting applications from the public on July 1 of the same year, marking the commencement of legal aid services in Taiwan.

Upon its inception, the LAF established branches in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Hualien at the locations of five high courts. In January 2005, branches were additionally established in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Changhua, Yilan, and Taitung. In July of the same year, Keelung was added, followed by Miaoli, Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, totaling nine branches. In December 2006, the Banqiao branch was newly established (now relocated to Sanchong and renamed the New Taipei branch). In August 2009, the Shilin branch was established; and in August 2017, the Qiaotou branch was opened. In March 2018, the Indigenous Legal Service Center was officially inaugurated, serving economically disadvantaged people from indigenous groups.

Service principles

• Approachable
• Efficient
• Flexible
• Professional

Mission statement

• Rigorously reform and enhance the legal aid system
• Make legal aid available throughout Taiwan
• Actively publicize legal aid news and information
• Allow people convenient access to legal aid
• Raise the quality of legal aid services
• Encourage the participation of lawyers in legal aid and social reform
• Strengthen the promotion of legal education for disadvantaged people