Decree No. 144/SL expands the right to legal defense for defendants before courts, allowing plaintiffs, defendants, and accused persons to seek protection of their interests from a citizen who is not a lawyer in most court sessions.
Scope of application
Plaintiffs, defendants, and accused; Ordinary courts and special courts handling petty crimes and serious offenses
Key points
- Plaintiffs, defendants, and accused may seek the protection of their interests before the court from a citizen who is not a lawyer (Article 1).
- The citizen appointed as defense counsel must be recognized by the Chief Judge (Article 1).
- This decree amends Article 1 of Decree No. 69-SL dated June 18, 1949.
- The Ministers of Justice, Interior, and Defense are responsible for implementing this decree (Article 2).
- This decree does not apply to military courts at the front.
🌐 Social impact of this document
- Expanding the right to legal defense helps better protect the interests of plaintiffs, defendants, and accused persons.
- Increases the burden on Chief Judges in assessing and approving non-lawyer defense counsel.
- May reduce legal costs for parties involved in litigation.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Who can plaintiffs and defendants seek to protect themselves before court?
Plaintiffs, defendants, and accused may seek protection of their interests from a citizen who is not a lawyer (Article 1).
Which citizens are eligible to serve as defense counsel?
Any citizen may be appointed, but must be recognized by the Chief Judge.
Full text
DECREE-LAW
NO.: 144/SL DATE: DECEMBER 22, 1949
OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
CHAIRMAN
THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Pursuant to Decree-Law No. 69-SL dated June 18, 1949 on the organization of defense before courts;
In response to the proposal of the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Interior Affairs, and the Minister of National Defense;
Following the resolution of the Council of Ministers after consultation with the Standing Committee of the National Assembly;
ENACTS THE FOLLOWING DECREE-LAW
Article 1
Article 1 of Decree-Law No. 69-SL dated June 18, 1949 is hereby amended as follows:
"From now on, before courts handling civil and commercial cases, before ordinary courts and special courts dealing with petty crimes and serious offenses, except for military courts at the front, plaintiffs, defendants, and accused persons may seek assistance from a citizen who is not a lawyer to defend them.
"Such citizen must be recognized by the Chief Judge."
Article 2
The Ministers of Justice, Interior Affairs, and National Defense shall implement this Decree-Law accordingly.
Ho Chi Minh
(Signed)
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