MOSCOW, September 6 - RAPSI. The State Duma (Russias lower house of parliament) adopted a bill that will expand free legal services in the first reading on Tuesday.
The bill, which will enter into force on January 1, expands the category of people eligible for free legal assistance.

Clients will not be able to use free legal consultations for business or to for already decided cases.

Under the bill, legal clinics at law schools will provide a large portion of the free legal aid. Final-year students will advise eligible clients free of charge.

Presently, free legal assistance is provided to low-income people, as well as others in special need of social services such as World War II veterans and certain categories of minors.