With the purpose of guaranteeing access to justice to vulnerable sectors, the Pontifical University of Mexico (UPM) has implemented a free legal advice service. This effort seeks to provide legal support to those who cannot afford a lawyer, offering guidance in various areas of law.
In an interview with ACI Press, Dr. Rafael Estrada Michel, director of the UPM Law School, stressed that the initiative aims to “assist the most needy people, who many times, for issues, even economic or cultural, have no possibility of accessing a lawyer.”
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The service offers civil law advice, covering issues such as ownership, land tenure and contractual relations. It also provides guidance in commercial law, in matters related to credit titles.
Another frequent consultation issue is family conflicts. Dr. Estrada Michel highlighted the serious problem of domestic violence in the country, pointing out that “unfortunately, there is a huge need to address it, since it is a terrible pandemic of which little is spoken in our country”, especially with regard to violence against women.
In addition, the program offers support in immigration law, providing advice on amparo procedures, requests for the protection of justice and defense of the rights of migrants, warned that the situation “will surely worsen in the next time”, which makes this type of legal accompaniment even more urgent.
The service also provides access to the “Program for the Payment of Bonds in Criminal Matters, of small bonds so that people reach their freedom and can follow their processes without being subject to the famous preventive detention”, in collaboration with the Telmex Foundation.
This effort arises from the collaboration with the Faculty of Law of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country. From the beginning, Dr. Carlos Berlusco, coordinator of the Free Legal Firm of the UNAM, promoted the creation of an office in the UPM, with the aim of bringing justice to communities in the south of Mexico City.
The office began operating in January of this year and is under the direction of the teacher Guadalupe Espinosa, who supervises the students of the law degree who perform their social service in the firm.
People interested in accessing this service can go directly to the Pontifical University of Mexico or communicate Through its digital channels.
Diego López Colín
I am a graduate of journalism at the Carlos Septién García school with experience of religious institutional communication. Since 2016 I write for digital media and, since 2018, I report the most important news about the Catholic event in Mexico for the Ewtn news channel. ACI Press correspondent in Mexico since 2023.