Consolidated Document number 5795/VBHN-BTP detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities

CIRCULAR

Detailed provisions on certain articles of the Legal Aid Law and guidance on documents in legal aid activities

Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017, issued by the Minister of Justice, detailing certain articles of the Legal Aid Law and providing guidance on documents in legal aid activities, effective from January 1, 2018, has been amended and supplemented by:

1. Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP dated May 25, 2021, issued by the Minister of Justice, amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017, issued by the Minister of Justice, detailing certain articles of the Legal Aid Law and providing guidance on documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018, issued by the Minister of Justice, guiding certain business activities and quality management in legal aid, effective from July 15, 2021;

2. Circular No. 09/2022/TT-BTP dated December 30, 2022, issued by the Minister of Justice, abolishing certain contents in circulars in the field of legal aid and household registration issued by the Minister of Justice, effective from January 1, 2023;

3. Circular No. 10/2023/TT-BTP dated December 29, 2023, issued by the Minister of Justice, amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017, issued by the Minister of Justice, detailing certain articles of the Legal Aid Law and providing guidance on documents in legal aid activities, and Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018, issued by the Minister of Justice, guiding certain business activities and quality management in legal aid, effective from February 15, 2024.

4. Circular No. 08/2025/TT-BTP dated June 12, 2025, issued by the Minister of Justice, detailing the jurisdiction of local authorities at two levels and decentralization in the field of state administration under the Ministry of Justice, effective from July 1, 2025.

5. Circular No. 11/2025/TT-BTP dated June 25, 2025, issued by the Minister of Justice, amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain articles of circulars in the field of state administration under the Ministry of Justice, effective from July 1, 2025.

Pursuant to the Legal Aid Law dated June 20, 2017;

Pursuant to Decree No. 96/2017/NĐ-CP dated August 16, 2017, issued by the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Justice;

At the proposal of the Director of the Legal Aid Agency;

The Minister of Justice issues this Circular detailing certain articles of

the Legal Aid Law and providing guidance on documents in legal aid activities[1].

Chapter I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular details the implementation contract for legal aid; registration to participate in implementing legal aid; probation, examination of probation results in legal aid, and provides guidance on documents in legal aid activities.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to the following subjects:

1. Legal aid officers, legal aid volunteers, lawyers, and legal advisors implementing legal aid.

2. Probationers in legal aid.

3. Persons receiving legal aid.

4. Organizations practicing law and organizations providing legal advice participating in legal aid.

5. State Legal Aid Centers, Departments of Justice, and other relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Chapter II. CONTRACT FOR IMPLEMENTING LEGAL AID

Section 1. SELECTION, CONTRACT SIGNING WITH LAWYERS; CONTRACT SIGNING WITH LEGAL ASSISTANTS

Article 3. Determining the Number of Lawyers Expected to Sign Contracts

Based on the legal aid resources at the local level, the State Legal Aid Center (hereinafter referred to as the Center) evaluates its capacity to meet the demand for legal aid based on the results of legal aid cases from the previous year, the number of legal assistants, the number of lawyers who have signed contracts, the number of cases adjudicated in the previous year, the total number of people receiving legal aid, changes in the local population, and other contents affecting legal aid work at the local level to predict the number of lawyers signing contracts to implement legal aid services (hereinafter referred to as lawyers).

Article 4. Evaluation Team for Lawyer Selection

1. The Director of the Center decides to establish an Evaluation Team for Lawyer Selection (hereinafter referred to as the Evaluation Team) consisting of three to five members who have legal knowledge, understand legal aid activities, including a representative of the local Bar Association. The head of the Evaluation Team for Lawyers is a Center leader.

2.[2] The Evaluation Team for Lawyers is responsible for:

a) Building a notice for lawyer selection;

b) Evaluating lawyer selection files and being responsible for the evaluation results and selection outcomes.

3. Members of the Evaluation Team for Lawyers are responsible for:

a) Evaluating and personally bearing responsibility for their evaluation results;

b) Being independent, impartial, honest, and keeping confidential information related to the performance of their tasks;

c) Performing other tasks assigned by the team leader.

Article 5. Notice for Lawyer Selection

1. The notice for lawyer selection includes the following contents:

a) The number of lawyers expected to be selected;

b) Conditions for signing contracts to implement legal aid services as stipulated in Clause 3 and Clause 5, Article 14 of the Legal Aid Law; methods, criteria, and scoring scales for file evaluation;

c) Requirements for files as prescribed in Article 6 of this Circular;

d)[3] Location and deadline for submitting files. The submission deadline is specifically defined in the notice, with a minimum of 20 days and a maximum not exceeding 30 days from the date the notice is published;

d) Draft contract for implementing legal aid services;

e) Other requirements (if any).

2. The notice for lawyer selection must be published for a minimum of five working days on the website of the local Department of Justice.

Article 6. Files for Lawyer Selection

1.[4] Files for lawyer selection include:

a) A request to participate in the selection to sign contracts for implementing legal aid services, clearly stating compliance with the conditions stipulated in Clause 3, Article 14 of the Legal Aid Law and introducing the lawyer's practice history, litigation cases participated in; experience in legal aid (if any);

b) A copy of the lawyer's license card;

c) Other documents according to the notice for lawyer selection (if any).

2. Lawyers are responsible for the accuracy of the provided information.

3.[5] Lawyers submit one set of files directly or through postal service or email to the Center. In case of direct submission, the submission date is recorded on the receipt. In case of submission through postal service, the submission date is based on the arrival date stamp of the postal service. In case of submission via email, the submission time is when the file reaches the Center's email. If the file reaches the Center's email outside regular working hours, the submission time is calculated from the start of the next working day and hour.

Article 7. Evaluation of Applications and Contracting with Lawyers

1.[6] Within ten days from the deadline for submitting applications, the Lawyer Evaluation Team must complete the evaluation process. In cases where necessary, the evaluation period may be extended but not exceeding three working days.

2. The evaluation process consists of two steps, including:

Step 1: Assessing the validity of the application. Using pass/fail criteria to evaluate, applications that are submitted fully and on time will be deemed to meet requirements as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 6 of this Circular and will proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Evaluating the level of compliance with legal aid needs. Using a scoring method based on a scale of 100 points to assess, with minimum and maximum scores defined for each criterion. The final score is the average of the scores given by members of the Lawyer Evaluation Team, ranked from highest to lowest. In cases where two or more lawyers have the same score, the Leader of the Lawyer Evaluation Team shall decide.

3. The Leader of the Lawyer Evaluation Team is responsible for compiling the evaluation results of the team members and ranking them from highest to lowest according to the scores achieved. The compilation table must bear the signatures of all team members.

4.[7] The Center is responsible for notifying the selection results to the lawyers who have submitted applications. A lawyer must have a final evaluation score of 50 points or higher and be selected in descending order of scores until the anticipated number of selections is reached. Within ten days from receiving the notification, the selected lawyer is responsible for signing a contract with the Center, except in cases of valid reasons, which can be extended but not exceeding fifteen days from the date of receipt of the notification. If the selected lawyer does not sign the contract beyond the specified period, the Center will notify to sign a contract with the next highest-ranked lawyer (if available). In cases where the lawyer submits the application via email, when signing the contract with the Center, the lawyer must submit the full set of documents as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 6 of this Circular.

Article 8. Signing Contracts with Legal Aid Collaborators [8]

Within thirty days from the issuance of the card, the legal aid collaborator is responsible for going to the Center to sign a contract to implement legal aid, except in cases of valid reasons, which can be extended but not exceeding thirty-five days from the issuance of the card.

Section 2. SELECTION AND CONTRACTING WITH LEGAL PROFESSION ORGANIZATIONS AND LEGAL ADVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Article 9. Determination of the Number of Organizations Expected to Sign Contracts

Based on the actual situation of the locality, the Department of Justice evaluates the capacity of the Center to meet legal aid needs based on the results of legal aid cases handled in the previous year, the number of legal aid officers, the number of lawyers contracted, other resources of the Center, the results of legal aid implemented by participating organizations, the number of cases adjudicated in the previous year, the total number of people receiving legal aid, changes in the local population, and other factors affecting legal aid work in the locality to predict the number of organizations expected to sign contracts to implement legal aid (hereinafter referred to as organizations).

Article 10. Formation of the Application Evaluation Team for Selecting Organizations

1. The Director of the Department of Justice decides to establish the Application Evaluation Team for Selecting Organizations (hereinafter referred to as the Organization Evaluation Team) consisting of three to five members who have legal knowledge and understand legal aid activities. Members of the Organization Evaluation Team include:

a) The leader of the Department of Justice serves as the Team Leader;

b) The leader of the Center and other members, including a representative of the local Bar Association appointed by the Director of the Department of Justice.

2. The Organization Evaluation Team and its members have responsibilities similar to those stipulated in Clause 2 and Clause 3, Article 4 of this Circularand are accountable to the Director of the Department of Justice for the evaluation.

Article 11. Notice of organization selection

1. The notice of organization selection shall include the following contents:

a) The number of law firms and legal advisory organizations planned to be selected;

b) Conditions for signing contracts to implement legal aid as stipulated in Clause 2 and Clause 5, Article 14 of the Legal Aid Law; methods, criteria, and scoring scales for evaluating applications;

c) Requirements for files as prescribed in Article 12. This Circular;

d) Contents prescribed in points d, đ, and e, Clause 1, Article 5 of this Circular point d, đ and e clause 1 Article 5 of this Circular.

2. The notice of organization selection must be published on the local Department of Justice's electronic information website for a minimum of five working days.

Article 12. Application dossier for organization selection

1.[9] The application dossier for organization selection includes:

a) A request to participate in the selection process for signing contracts to implement legal aid, clearly stating compliance with the conditions stipulated in Clause 2, Article 14 of the Legal Aid Law, and introducing the organization and its activities, including the number of lawyers and legal advisors employed, cases participated in litigation, and experience in providing legal aid (if any);

b) A copy of the registration certificate for operation;

c) Other documents as required by the notice of organization selection (if any).

2. Organizations are responsible for the accuracy of the provided information.

3.[10] Organizations may submit the dossier directly or send it via postal service or email to the Department of Justice. In case of direct submission, the submission date is recorded on the receipt. For submissions sent via postal service, the submission date is based on the arrival date stamp from the postal service. For submissions sent via email, the submission time is when the dossier reaches the Department of Justice’s email. If the email submission is outside regular business hours, the submission time will be counted from the start of the next business day and hour.

Article 13. Evaluation of application dossiers and signing contracts with organizations

1. The evaluation of application dossiers shall be conducted similarly as prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 7 of this Circular. clause 1 and clause 2 Article 7 of this CircularThe head of the organization evaluation team is responsible for compiling the evaluation results as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 7 of this Circular. clause 3 Article 7 of this Circular.

2.[11] The Department of Justice is responsible for notifying the evaluation results to organizations that have submitted dossiers. Organizations must have a final score of 50 points or higher and be selected in descending order until the planned number of selections is reached. Within ten days of receiving the notification, selected organizations are responsible for signing the contract with the Department of Justice. In case of valid reasons, the deadline can be extended but not beyond fifteen days from the date of receiving the notification. If the selected organization fails to sign the contract within the specified period, the Department of Justice will notify the next highest scoring organization (if available) to sign the contract. In case of organizations submitting dossiers via email, they must provide all required dossiers as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 12 of this Circular when signing the contract with the Department of Justice. clause 1 Article 12 of this Circular.

Chapter 3. CONTRACT FOR IMPLEMENTING LEGAL AID

Article 14. Contents of the Contract

The contract shall include the following basic contents:

1. Object, scope, form, and field of legal aid.

2. Responsibilities of both parties in implementing the contract.

3. Duration of the contract.

4. Remuneration and costs for implementing legal aid cases.

5. Amendment, supplementation, termination of the contract.

6. Dispute resolution mechanism and liability for breach of contract.

7. Other agreements (if any).

Article 15. Duration of the Contract

1. The duration of the contract shall be agreed upon by the parties but shall not exceed three years from the date of signing the contract.

2. Upon expiration of the contract implementation period, the Department of Justice and the Center may extend the contract based on local legal aid needs and the quality of legal aid services provided, without having to go through the selection procedures stipulated in this Circular. The contract may be extended once, for no more than three years. Any extension of the contract must be documented in writing.

Article 16. Implementation of the Contract

1. Organizations, lawyers, and legal aid volunteers who sign contracts to implement legal aid (hereinafter referred to as organizations and individuals) shall carry out cases assigned by the Department of Justice and the Center or directly accept requests to handle legal aid cases.

2.[12] (repealed))

2.[13] Organizations and individuals implementing legal aid cases in accordance with legal aid laws and the content of the contract shall ensure the quality of legal aid cases in compliance with the law and the contract.

Article 17. Termination of the Contract

1. The legal aid implementation contract shall terminate in the following cases:

a) The parties agree to terminate before the expiration date;

b) Upon expiration of the contract implementation period;

c) The organization falls under the circumstances for terminating legal aid implementation as prescribed in points a, c, and d, Clause 1, Article 16 of the Legal Aid Law; the individual signing the contract falls under the circumstances for not continuing to implement legal aid as prescribed in point b, Clause 1, Article 25 of the Legal Aid Law;

d) The organization or individual violates Clause 1, Article 6 of the Legal Aid Law;

e) Seriously violate rights and obligations stipulated in the contract causing damage to the person receiving legal aid;

f) Other cases as prescribed by law.

2.[14] When terminating the legal aid implementation contract as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article, the organization shall transfer the case files currently being handled to the organization implementing legal aid assigned by the Department of Justice to continue handling according to Clause 3, Article 16 of the Legal Aid Law.

3.[15] When terminating the legal aid implementation contract as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article, the individual shall transfer the case files currently being handled to the Center. The Center will assign a person to continue handling the legal aid case.

4. After termination of the contract, the organization or individual still bears responsibility for the legal aid work already performed.

Article 18. Inspection and Supervision of Contract Implementation

1. The Department of Justice shall be responsible for:

a) Inspecting compliance with legal provisions on legal aid and the contract by organizations and individuals signing the contract;

b) Publishing a list of organizations and individuals signing the contract as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 10 and Clause 2, Article 17 of the Legal Aid Law;

c) Awarding commendations or recommending competent state agencies to award commendations when organizations and individuals signing the contract have outstanding achievements or positive contributions to legal aid work as prescribed by law;

d) Handling violations or recommending competent authorities to handle violations by organizations and individuals signing the contract as prescribed by law.

2. The Center shall be responsible for inspecting compliance with legal provisions on legal aid and the contract by individuals signing the contract.

Chapter III. REGISTRATION TO PARTICIPATE IN IMPLEMENTING LEGAL AID

Article 19. Procedures for Registering to Participate in Legal Aid

1. Organizations practicing as lawyers and legal counseling organizations that meet the conditions for registering to participate in legal aid as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 15 of the Legal Aid Law shall submit directly or send via postal service, fax, or electronic form one set of application documents to the Department of Justice where they have been issued the Business Registration Certificate.

The application documents for registering to participate in legal aid include:

a) A request to participate in legal aid according to the model issued together with this Circular (Model TP-TGPL-01);

b) A list of lawyers and legal counselors who meet the conditions to implement legal aid (Model TP-TGPL-02);

c) Copies of lawyer cards and legal counselor cards.

2. Within seven days from the date of receiving valid registration applications, the Department of Justice will examine the application documents and issue a Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid according to the model issued together with this Circular (Model TP-TGPL-03) to organizations that meet the conditions for participation and notify the Center to coordinate implementation. In case of refusal, the reasons must be clearly stated in writing. The provision of legal aid begins from the date of issuance of the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid.

3. Within three working days from the date of issuance of the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid, the Department of Justice will publish the list of participating organizations and persons providing legal aid at the local level as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 10 and Clause 2, Article 17 of the Legal Aid Law.

In case of changing the person providing legal aid, the organization participating in legal aid must submit a written notice for the Department of Justice to review and update the list of persons providing legal aid at the local level and notify the Ministry of Justice.

4. There is no fee required for registering to participate in legal aid.

Article 20. Changing the Content of the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid

1.[16] When wishing to change the content of the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid, the organization participating in legal aid shall submit directly or online or send via postal service one set of application documents to the Department of Justice where it has registered to participate in legal aid. The application documents include: A request to change the content of the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid according to the model issued together with Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP (Model TP-TGPL-04); the original Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid already issued. In case of submission through online means, the organization participating in legal aid shall send the original Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid already issued via postal service.

2. Within five working days from the date of receiving valid application documents, the Department of Justice will update the changed content in the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid already issued. In case of refusal, the reasons must be clearly stated in writing. There is no fee required for changing the content of the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid.

3. Within three working days from the date of updating the changed content in the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid, the Department of Justice will announce the changes on its official website and notify the Ministry of Justice.

Article 21. Reissuing the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid

1. In case the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid is lost or damaged and cannot be used, the organization participating in legal aid shall submit directly or send via postal service, fax, or electronic form a request for reissuing the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid according to the model issued together with this Circular (Model TP-TGPL-05) to the Department of Justice to obtain a new Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid.

2. Within five working days from the date of receiving the request, the Department of Justice will reissue the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid to the organization participating in legal aid. The reissued Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid retains the original number but the issuance date noted on the certificate is the date of reissuance. There is no fee required for reissuing the Participation Registration Certificate for Legal Aid.

Article 22. Termination of Participation in Legal Aid

An organization that has registered to participate in legal aid and terminates its participation according to Clause 2, Article 16 of the Legal Aid Law shall be responsible for transferring incomplete case files to the organization designated by the Department of Justice to continue providing legal aid. The procedure for terminating participation in legal aid shall be carried out as follows:

1.[17] In cases where termination is stipulated under Point b and Point đ, Clause 2, Article 16 of the Legal Aid Law, the organization that has registered to participate in legal aid shall submit directly, online, or through postal service one set of documents to the Department of Justice where it has registered to participate in legal aid. The documents include: A notification letter regarding the termination of legal aid provision; the original Registration Certificate for Participating in Legal Aid that has been issued. If submission is made via online means, the organization must send the original Registration Certificate for Participating in Legal Aid through postal service.

2. In cases where termination is stipulated under Points a, c, and d, Clause 2, Article 16 of the Legal Aid Law, the organization that has registered to participate in legal aid will have its Registration Certificate for Participating in Legal Aid revoked. The revocation process shall be carried out as follows:

a) Within seven days from the date of discovering that the organization participating in legal aid falls under one of the circumstances specified in Points a, c, and d, Clause 2, Article 16 of the Legal Aid Law, the unit assigned by the Department of Justice to manage state administration on legal aid shall prepare a file to request the Director of the Department of Justice to issue a decision to revoke the Registration Certificate for Participating in Legal Aid. The file includes: Draft decision on revocation by the Director of the Department of Justice; Minutes confirming or documents proving that the organization participating in legal aid falls under one of the circumstances specified in Points a, c, and d, Clause 2, Article 16 of the Legal Aid Law;

b) Within five working days from the date of receiving a valid file, the Director of the Department of Justice shall issue a decision to revoke the Registration Certificate for Participating in Legal Aid according to the form attached to this Circular (Form TP-TGPL-06).

3. Within three working days from the date of receiving a valid file as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article or revoking the Registration Certificate for Participating in Legal Aid as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article, the Department of Justice shall announce the termination of participation in legal aid, post it on the Department of Justice's electronic information website, and notify the Ministry of Justice.

Chapter IV. TRAINING AND INSPECTION OF TRAINING RESULTS IN LEGAL AID

Section 1. LEGAL AID TRAINING

Article 23. Trainees in Legal Aid

A civil servant working at the Center who holds a certificate of completion of lawyer training or is exempted from such training according to the laws on lawyers may apply for legal aid training at the Center.

Article 24. Responsibilities of the Center, Trainees, and Training Supervisors in Legal Aid

1. Within three working days from the date of receiving the application, the Center shall decide to assign a legal aid officer who meets the conditions stipulated in Clause 1, Article 20 of the Legal Aid Law (hereinafter referred to as the training supervisor) to guide the trainee in legal aid (hereinafter referred to as the trainee). If the application is rejected, the Center must notify in writing and specify the reasons.

2. The trainee shall be guided by the training supervisor in professional activities as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 20 of the Legal Aid Law; shall be responsible for complying with regulations and principles of legal aid operation, internal rules, and regulations of the place where legal aid is provided; shall be accountable to the training supervisor and the Center for the results and progress of assigned tasks. At the end of the training period, the trainee must submit a report on the training results.

3. The training supervisor shall be responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and being accountable for tasks assigned to the trainee; shall provide comments on the trainee's report on training results.

Article 25. Duration of Legal Aid Internship

1. The duration of legal aid internship (hereinafter referred to as the internship period) shall be calculated from the date of issuance of the decision assigning the supervisor for the internship. For those who meet the conditions to have their lawyer practice internship period reduced by two-thirds according to the Lawyers Law, the internship period is four months; for those who meet the conditions to have their lawyer practice internship period reduced by half according to the Lawyers Law, the internship period is six months.

In case there is a change in the internship location, the internship period shall continue to be calculated from the date when the Center at the new location issues the decision assigning the supervisor for the internship. The internship period shall be the total time of internship at various Centers where the person has worked.

2. Those exempted from lawyer practice internship according to the laws on lawyers shall also be exempted from legal aid internship.

Article 25a. Change of Internship Supervisor [18]

1. The intern has the right to submit a written request to the head of the Center to change the internship supervisor when the supervisor falls under any of the following circumstances:

a) The internship supervisor violates the provisions set out in Clause 2 and Clause 3 of Article 7 of the Professional Code of Conduct for Legal Aid issued together with Circular No. 03/2020/TT-BTP dated April 28, 2020 of the Minister of Justice;

b) The internship supervisor transfers work, retires, resigns, is dismissed, dies, or due to health reasons or other reasons cannot continue to supervise the legal aid internship.

2. Within seven working days from the date of receipt of the written request to change the internship supervisor, the head of the Center shall be responsible for reviewing and deciding.

Article 26. Change of Legal Aid Internship Location

1. When changing the workplace to another Center in a different locality, the intern must submit a written request accompanied by a report on the internship results with comments from the internship supervisor to the Center where they are currently interning.

2. Within three working days from the date of receipt of the request as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, the Center where the intern is currently working shall send a written notice to the Center where the intern will transfer to work, specifying the time already spent interning and the number of times the internship was temporarily suspended (if any).

Article 27. Suspension of Legal Aid Internship

1. During the internship period, the intern may suspend the internship but must notify the Center in writing where they are currently interning.

2. Those with an internship period of twelve months may suspend the internship up to two times, each not exceeding six months; those with an internship period of six months may suspend the internship once, not exceeding six months.

3. The time of suspension of the internship shall not be counted towards the internship period. The time of internship before the suspension shall be included in the total internship period.

Section 2. INSPECTION OF INTERNSHIP RESULTS FOR LEGAL AID

Article 28. Organization of Inspection

1. When there is a need to inspect the results of legal aid internship, the Department of Justice sends a written request to the Ministry of Justice along with a list and dossier of persons meeting the conditions to participate in the inspection of internship results for legal aid.

2. The Ministry of Justice organizes the inspection of internship results for legal aid not more than twice a year. The inspection plan, list of eligible participants, time, and place of organization of the inspection shall be announced at least one month before the inspection date and published on the Ministry of Justice's electronic portal.

Article 29. Principles, Content, and Form of Examination

1. The examination of the results of the probationary period for legal aid assistance must be conducted seriously, openly, fairly, objectively, truthfully, and in accordance with the provisions of the law.

2. The content of the examination includes: knowledge of laws in the fields of criminal, civil, administrative, and legal aid; skills in handling legal aid cases.

3. The forms of examination include written examination and practical examination.

a)[19] Written examination: Examination of knowledge of laws in the fields of criminal, civil, administrative, and legal aid; skills in participating in litigation, representing outside litigation, and providing legal advice. The duration of the written examination is 180 minutes;

Practical examination: Candidates prepare a plan to handle one litigation case and submit it to the Examination Board at least 10 days before the examination date. During the practical examination, candidates present their prepared plans and answer questions posed by members of the Examination Board.

Article 30. Examination Board

1. The Examination Board for the results of the probationary period for legal aid assistance (hereinafter referred to as the Examination Board) shall be established by the Minister of Justice based on the proposal of the Director of the Legal Aid Department. The Examination Board uses the seal of the Ministry of Justice to perform its tasks as prescribed.

2. The Examination Board consists of from seven to nine members including: the Chairman of the Examination Board is the Leader of the Legal Aid Department; other members are representatives of some units under the Ministry of Justice, the Vietnam Bar Federation, some reputable lawyers, and legal aid officers.

3. Supporting the Examination Board are the Secretariat, the Question Setting Committee, the Invigilation Committee, the Sealing Committee, the Written Examination Marking Committee, and the Rechecking Committee, all established by the Chairman of the Examination Board (hereinafter referred to as the Committees of the Examination Board).

Article 31. Grading of Examinations

1. Each written examination paper is graded independently by two members of the Written Examination Marking Committee according to a scale of 100 points. The score for the written examination paper is the average of the scores given by the two members. In cases where the scores given by the two members differ by 20 points or more, the Head of the Written Examination Marking Committee organizes a third grading of the candidate's examination paper, and the score from this third grading is the official score for the examination paper.

2. The practical examination is graded independently by members of the Examination Board according to a scale of 100 points. The score for the practical examination is the average of the scores given by the members of the Examination Board. The Examination Board organizes the grading of written examination papers and announces the scores of the examinations to the candidates, and simultaneously publishes them on the Ministry of Justice’s electronic portal.

3. Within fifteen days from the date of announcing the scores, candidates who disagree with the results of the grading of their written examination papers have the right to file a request for rechecking with the Chairman of the Examination Board. There is no rechecking of practical examination papers.

4. Within five working days from the end of the rechecking period, the Chairman of the Examination Board decides to establish the Rechecking Committee and organize the rechecking process. The Rechecking Committee consists of three or more people, including one Head. Members of the Rechecking Committee are not members of the Written Examination Marking Committee.

The method of conducting the rechecking is carried out in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article. The result of the rechecking must be approved by the Chairman of the Examination Board and is the final result.

5. Within three working days from the completion of the rechecking, the Examination Board is responsible for reporting to the Minister of Justice for approval of the examination results before announcing the examination results to the candidates and publishing them on the Ministry of Justice’s electronic portal.

Candidates must achieve a score of fifty points or higher in each examination paper to meet the requirements of the examination.

6. Within ten days from the date the examination results are published on the Ministry of Justice’s electronic portal, the Chairman of the Examination Board issues a Certificate of Examination Results for Probationary Period for Legal Aid Assistance (Form TP-TGPL-07) to candidates who meet the examination requirements.Form TP-TGPL-07) for candidates who meet the examination requirements.

Article 32. Funding for the examination of the results of legal aid probation

Participants in the examination of the results of probation shall not pay registration fees but must cover their related expenses for participating in the examination. The funding for organizing the examination of the results of legal aid probation shall be allocated to the Legal Aid Agency in accordance with the provisions of the State Budget Law.

Chapter V. DOCUMENTS IN LEGAL AID ACTIVITIES

Article 33. Documents Proving Eligibility for Legal Aid

1. Documents proving eligibility as a person who has rendered meritorious service to the revolution include one of the following:

a) Decision of the competent authority recognizing such person as having rendered meritorious service to the revolution pursuant to the Ordinance on Preferential Treatment for Persons Who Have Rendered Meritorious Service to the Revolution;

b) Decision conferring the title of Heroic Mother Vietnam, Heroic People's Armed Forces, or Heroic Labor during the Resistance War;

c) Medal of Resistance, Resistance Badge, Certificate of Heroic Mother Vietnam, Certificate of Hero, Certificate of Meritorious Service to the Country;

d) Decision on allowances or subsidies issued by the competent authority determining such person as having rendered meritorious service to the revolution pursuant to the laws on preferential treatment for persons who have rendered meritorious service to the revolution;

e) Decision or certificate of war invalid, person receiving benefits equivalent to those of war invalids, person suffering from diseases caused by chemical toxins, person participating in resistance activities affected by chemical toxins;

e)[20] Commemorative medal for meritorious service to the revolution, Certificate of person participating in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945, Certificate of person participating in revolutionary activities from January 1, 1945 to August 1945 uprising, Medal of Victory, Victory Badge.

2. Document proving eligibility as a member of a poor household is the certificate of a poor household.

3. Documents proving eligibility as a child include one of the following:

a)[21] Birth certificate, passport;

b) Document of the judicial organ determining that the person requesting legal aid is a child;

c) Document of the competent authority applying administrative measures or imposing administrative penalties determining that the person requesting legal aid is a child.

4. Documents proving eligibility as a member of an ethnic minority residing in a particularly difficult economic and social condition area include one of the following:

a) Legal document issued by the competent authority identifying such person as an ethnic minority and their place of residence;

b) Document of the judicial organ determining that the person requesting legal aid is an ethnic minority and their place of residence.

5.[22] Document proving eligibility as a person aged 16 or older but under 18 years old who is accused, subject to prosecution recommendation, detained in urgent circumstances, charged, victim, witness, subject to diversionary measure, prisoner is the document of the competent authority determining that such person falls within one of these categories.

6. Documents proving eligibility as a defendant belonging to a near-poor household include the following documents:

a) Certificate of a near-poor household;

b) Document of the judicial organ determining that the person requesting legal aid is a defendant.

7. Documents proving eligibility as the father, mother, wife, husband, or child of a烈士牺牲人员或在烈士年幼时抚养烈士的人员且经济困难包括以下文件：

a) Certificate of near-poor household or decision on monthly social assistance or decision to accept the object for care and support at social welfare house, social welfare facility;

b) Decision of the competent authority regarding preferential allowances, pension allowances for the father, mother, wife, husband, child of烈士，请问您需要我继续翻译剩余的内容吗？我会严格按照您的指示进行翻译，不添加任何解释或个人评论。如果有需要，请提供进一步的指示。

8. Documents proving that a person affected by Agent Orange has financial difficulties include the following documents:

a) The documents specified in point a, Clause 7 of this Article;

b) Decision on preferential allowances for children of those who participated in the resistance war and were exposed to toxic chemicals or Certificate of illness, deformity, or disability caused by exposure to toxic chemicals.

9. Documents proving that an elderly person has financial difficulties include one of the following types of documents:

a) Decision on receiving monthly social assistance; Decision on accepting the subject for care and support at a social welfare house or social welfare facility;

b) Near-poor household certificate accompanied by a legal document issued by the competent authority confirming that the person named in the certificate is an elderly person.

10. Documents proving that a person with disabilities has financial difficulties include one of the following types of documents:

a) Near-poor household certificate accompanied by Disability Certificate issued by the competent authority;

b) The documents specified in point a, Clause 9 of this Article.

11.[23] (Repealed)

12. Documents proving that a victim of domestic violence has financial difficulties include one of the following types of documents:

a) Decision on accepting victims of domestic violence into a social welfare house or social welfare facility;

b) Near-poor household certificate accompanied by one of the following documents: Confirmation from a medical facility regarding examination and treatment of injuries caused by domestic violence; Decision prohibiting the perpetrator of domestic violence from contacting the victim; Administrative violation handling decision against the person committing domestic violence.

13.[24] Documents and materials proving that a person is a victim, a person currently being identified as a victim of human trafficking, or a person under 18 years old accompanying them as stipulated by the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking are legal documents issued by authorities or persons authorized by law on prevention and control of human trafficking identifying such individuals as belonging to these categories.

14. Documents proving that a person infected with HIV has financial difficulties include the following documents:

a) The documents specified in point a, Clause 7 of this Article;

b) Confirmation issued by the competent authority certifying that the person is infected with HIV.

15. Other valid documents issued by the competent authority determining that a person falls within the category eligible for legal aid as prescribed by the legal aid law.

In cases where individuals eligible for legal aid lose the aforementioned documents, there must be confirmation from the authority that issued those documents.

Article 34. Forms of documents in legal aid activities

The following forms of documents are attached to this Circular:

1. Application for participation in legal aid (Model TP-TGPL-01).

2. List of lawyers and legal advisors eligible to provide legal aid (Model TP-TGPL-02).

3. Registration for participation in legal aid (Model TP-TGPL-03).

4. Application for amendment of the Registration for Participation in Legal Aid (Model TP-TGPL-04).

5. Application for reissue of the Registration for Participation in Legal Aid (Form TP-TGPL-05).

6. Decision on revocation of the Registration for Participation in Legal Aid (Form TP-TGPL-06).

7. Certificate of examination results for probationary legal aid (Form TP-TGPL-07).

8. Legal aid assistant card (Form TP-TGPL-08).

9. Legal aid volunteer card (Form TP-TGPL-09).

10.[25] Application for registration as a legal aid volunteer (Form TP-TGPL-10).

11.[26] Application for reissue of the legal aid volunteer card (Form TP-TGPL-11).

12. Decision on issuance/reissuance of the legal aid volunteer card (Form TP-TGPL-12).

13. Decision on revocation of the legal aid volunteer card (Form TP-TGPL-13).

14. Decision on assignment of legal aid assistants/lawyers to participate in litigation (Form TP-TGPL-14).

15. Decision on replacement of legal aid assistants/lawyers participating in litigation (Form TP-TGPL-15).

16.[27] (Repealed)

17.[28] (Repealed)

Chapter VI. IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS[29]

Article 35. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2018.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 07/2012/TT-BTP dated July 30, 2012, issued by the Minister of Justice guiding the work of legal aid volunteers at the National Legal Aid Center and Decision No. 03/2007/QĐ-BTP dated June 1, 2007, issued by the Minister of Justice regarding the issuance of certain forms used in legal aid activities.

3. Point 4, Section I, Part A of Circular No. 05/2008/TT-BTP dated September 23, 2008, issued by the Ministry of Justice guiding business operations and state management of legal aid is abolished; abolish Form No. 01 and Form No. 02 attached to Circular No. 18/2013/TT-BTP dated November 20, 2013, issued by the Ministry of Justice guiding the calculation of time spent and procedures for payment of costs for legal aid cases.

Article 36. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Director of the Legal Aid Department, Heads of units under the Ministry of Justice, Directors of Provincial Departments of Justice, Directors of Centers, and related agencies, organizations, and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties, they should promptly report to the Ministry of Justice for study and resolution./.

[1] Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017, issued by the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018, issued by the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations and quality management of legal aid cases is based on the following:

“Pursuant to the Legal Aid Law dated June 20, 2017;

Decree No. 96/2017/NĐ-CP dated August 16, 2017, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Justice;

At the proposal of the Director of the Legal Aid Agency;

The Minister of Justice issues Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017, issued by the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018, issued by the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations and quality management of legal aid cases”.

Circular No. 09/2022/TT-BTP abolishing some contents in circulars in the field of legal aid and household registration issued by the Minister of Justice is based on the following:

"Based on the Household Registration Law dated November 20, 2014;

Based on the Legal Aid Law dated June 20, 2017; Based on the Residence Law dated November 13, 2020;

Based on the Law on Issuing Normative Legal Documents dated June 22, 2015;

Based on the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Issuing Normative Legal Documents dated June 18, 2020;

Pursuant to Decree No. 98/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 29, 2022, issued by the Government, concerning the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Justice;

Based on Decree No. 123/2015/NĐ-CP dated November 15, 2015, of the Government detailing certain provisions and measures for implementing the Household Registration Law;

At the proposal of the Director of the Legal Aid Department, the Director of the Household Registration, Nationality, and Notarization Department;

The Minister of Justice issues Circular No. 09/2022/TT-BTP abolishing some contents in circulars in the field of legal aid and household registration issued by the Minister of Justice.”

Circular No. 10/2023/TT-BTP amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017, issued by the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities and Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018, issued by the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations and quality management of legal aid cases is based on the following:

"Based on the Legal Aid Law dated June 20, 2017;

Based on Decree No. 98/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 29, 2022, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Justice; At the proposal of the Director of the Legal Aid Department;

The Minister of Justice issues Circular No. 10/2023/TT-BTP amending and supplementing some articles of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017, issued by the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities and Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018, issued by the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations and quality management of legal aid cases”.

Circular No. 08/2025/TT-BTP stipulates the division of authority between two levels of local government and decentralization in the field of state administration under the Ministry of Justice is based on the following:

“On the basis of The Government Organization Law 2025;

On the basis of The Local Government Organization Law 2025;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 190/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025, of the National Assembly concerning the handling of certain issues related to the restructuring of the state administrative apparatus;

Decree No. 120/2025/NĐ-CP dated Decision No. 249/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 11, 2025 of the Government on the delineation of the authority of two-level local administrations in the field of state management by the Ministry of Justice;

Decree No. 121/2025/NĐ-CP dated Decision No. 249/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 11, 2025 of the Government on the delegation and decentralization in the field of state management by the Ministry of Justice;

Decree No. Decision No. 39/2025/NĐ-CP dated Decision No. 39/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Justice;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Legislative Drafting;

The Minister of Justice issues Circulars to define the authority of two-level local administrations and decentralization in the field of state management by the Ministry of Justice.

Circular No. 11/2025/TT-BTP amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain provisions of Circulars under the field of state management by the Ministry of Justice, based on the following grounds:

“Pursuant to the Law on Government Organization 2025;

Pursuant to the Law on Local Government Organization 2025;

Pursuant to Resolution No. 190/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025 of the National Assembly on handling certain issues related to the restructuring of the state apparatus;

Pursuant to Decision No. 112/2025/NĐ-CP dated May 29, 2025 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decrees under the field of judicial assistance;

Pursuant to Decree No. 120/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 11, 2025 of the Government on the delineation of authority of two-level local governments in the field of state administration under the Ministry of Justice;

Pursuant to Decree No. 121/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 11, 2025 of the Government on decentralization and delegation in the field of state administration under the Ministry of Justice;

Pursuant to Decree No. 39/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Justice;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Legislative Drafting;

The Minister of Justice issues Circulars amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain provisions of Circulars under the field of state management by the Ministry of Justice.

[2] This Clause has been amended and supplemented according to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing some provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding some business activities and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[3] This Point has been amended and supplemented according to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing some provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding some business activities and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[4] This Clause has been amended and supplemented according to the provisions of Clause 3, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing some provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding some business activities and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[5] This Clause has been amended and supplemented according to the provisions of Clause 3, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing some provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding some business activities and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[6] This Clause has been amended and supplemented according to the provisions of Clause 4, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing some provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding some business activities and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[7] This Clause has been amended and supplemented according to the provisions of Clause 4, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing some provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding some business activities and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[8] This provision is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 5, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations of legal aid and managing the quality of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[9] This clause is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 6, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations of legal aid and managing the quality of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[10] This clause is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 6, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations of legal aid and managing the quality of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[11] This clause is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 7, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations of legal aid and managing the quality of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[12] This clause is repealed pursuant to Clause 8, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations of legal aid and managing the quality of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[13] This clause is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 9, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations of legal aid and managing the quality of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[14] This clause is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 10, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations of legal aid and managing the quality of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[15] This clause is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 10, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations of legal aid and managing the quality of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[16] This clause is amended pursuant to Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular No. 10/2023/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities and Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations of legal aid and managing the quality of legal aid cases, which took effect from February 15, 2024.

[17] This clause is amended pursuant to Clause 2, Article 1 of Circular No. 10/2023/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities and Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business operations of legal aid and managing the quality of legal aid cases, which took effect from February 15, 2024.

[18] This provision is added pursuant to Clause 11, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business activities in legal aid and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[19] This point is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 12, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business activities in legal aid and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[20] This point is added pursuant to Clause 13, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business activities in legal aid and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[21] The content "household registration book" at this point is abolished pursuant to Clause 1, Article 1 of Circular No. 09/2022/TT-BTP abolishing certain contents in circulars in the field of legal aid and civil status issued by the Minister of Justice, which took effect from January 1, 2023, and was amended pursuant to Clause 1, Article 5 of Circular No. 11/2025/TT-BTP amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain provisions of circulars under the Ministry of Justice's administrative management, which took effect from July 1, 2025.

[22] This clause is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 2, Article 5 of Circular No. 11/2025/TT-BTP amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain provisions of circulars under the Ministry of Justice's administrative management, which took effect from July 1, 2025.

[23] This clause is abolished pursuant to Clause 3, Article 10 of Circular No. 11/2025/TT-BTP amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain provisions of circulars under the Ministry of Justice's administrative management, which took effect from July 1, 2025.

[24] This clause is amended and supplemented pursuant to Clause 3, Article 5 of Circular No. 11/2025/TT-BTP amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain provisions of circulars under the Ministry of Justice's administrative management, which took effect from July 1, 2025.

[25] This form is replaced by Form Application for Legal Aid Volunteer (Form TP-TGPL-10) promulgated together with Circular No. 10/2023/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities and Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business activities in legal aid and quality management of legal aid cases pursuant to Point a, Clause 3, Article 1 of Circular No. 10/2023/TT-BTP, which took effect from February 15, 2024.

The phrase "ID number/Citizen Identification Card number/Personal identification number" at Form Application for Legal Aid Volunteer (Form TP-TGPL-10) is adjusted to the phrase "Citizen Identification Card number/Citizen Identification Card number/Personal identification number" pursuant to Clause 2, Article 12 of Circular No. 08/2025/TT-BTP stipulating the division of authority of local governments at two levels and decentralization in the field of administrative management of the Ministry of Justice, which took effect from July 1, 2025.

[26] This form is replaced by Form Application for Reissuing Legal Aid Volunteer Card (Form TP-TGPL-11) promulgated together with Circular No. 10/2023/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities and Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business activities in legal aid and quality management of legal aid cases pursuant to Point a, Clause 3, Article 1 of Circular No. 10/2023/TT-BTP, which took effect from February 15, 2024.

The phrase "ID number/Citizen Identification Card number/Personal identification number" at Form Application for Reissuing Legal Aid Volunteer Card (Form TP-TGPL-11) is adjusted to the phrase "Citizen Identification Card number/Citizen Identification Card number/Personal identification number" pursuant to Clause 2, Article 12 of Circular No. 08/2025/TT-BTP stipulating the division of authority of local governments at two levels and decentralization in the field of administrative management of the Ministry of Justice, which took effect from July 1, 2025.

[27] This clause is abolished pursuant to Clause 14, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business activities in legal aid and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[28] This clause is abolished pursuant to Clause 14, Article 1 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 of the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 of the Minister of Justice guiding certain business activities in legal aid and quality management of legal aid cases, which took effect from July 15, 2021.

[29] Article 3 and Article 4 of Circular No. 03/2021/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 issued by the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities; Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 issued by the Minister of Justice guiding certain business activities in legal aid and quality management of legal aid cases, shall take effect from July 15, 2021, are stipulated as follows:

"Article 3. Effective Date

This Circular shall take effect from July 15, 2021.

Article 4. Responsibilities for Implementation

1. The Director of the Legal Aid Agency, Heads of units under the Ministry of Justice, Directors of Provincial Departments of Justice, Directors of State Legal Aid Centers in provinces and centrally-run cities, and relevant organizations and individuals shall be responsible for implementing and organizing the implementation of this Circular.

2. In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties, they are requested to promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Justice for study and resolution."

Article 4 of Circular No. 09/2022/TT-BTP abolishing certain contents in Circulars in the field of legal aid and civil status issued by the Minister of Justice, shall take effect from January 1, 2023, is stipulated as follows:

"Article 4. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular shall take effect from January 1, 2023.

2. The Director of the Legal Aid Agency, the Director of the Civil Status, Nationality, and Notarization Agency, Heads of units under the Ministry of Justice, Directors of Provincial Departments of Justice, Directors of State Legal Aid Centers in provinces and centrally-run cities, and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties, they are requested to promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Justice for study and resolution.”

Article 3 and Article 4 of Circular No. 10/2023/TT-BTP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BTP dated November 15, 2017 issued by the Minister of Justice detailing certain provisions of the Legal Aid Law and guiding documents in legal aid activities and Circular No. 12/2018/TT-BTP dated August 28, 2018 issued by the Minister of Justice guiding certain business activities in legal aid and quality management of legal aid cases, shall take effect from February 15, 2024, are stipulated as follows:

Article 3. Responsibilities for Implementation

The Director of the Legal Aid Agency, Heads of units under the Ministry of Justice, Directors of Provincial Departments of Justice, Directors of State Legal Aid Centers in provinces and centrally-run cities, and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

Article 4. Implementation provisions

1. This Circular shall take effect from February 15, 2024.

2. Upon completion of the connection with the National Population Database, civil servants and employees assigned the responsibility of receiving and processing administrative procedures in the field of legal aid shall access information on gender and permanent residence address of citizens in the National Population Database without requiring citizens to provide such information.

3. In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties, they are requested to promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Justice for study and resolution.”

Article 23 and Article 24 of Circular No. 08/2025/TT-BTP on the delineation of authority of two-level local governments and decentralization in the field of state administration under the Ministry of Justice shall take effect from July 1, 2025, and are stipulated as follows:

“Article 23. Effectiveness of Implementation

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2025.

2. This Circular ceases to be effective from March 1, 2027 except for the following cases:

a) If Decree No. 120/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 121/2025/NĐ-CP extend the application period in whole or in part, then the relevant provisions in this Circular will also be allowed to extend the application period.

b) Laws, resolutions of the National Assembly, ordinances, resolutions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, decrees, resolutions of the Government, decisions of the Prime Minister, and other circulars of the Minister of Justice that provide for authority, responsibility for state management, procedures, and formalities as set forth in this circular, which are adopted or issued from July 1, 2025, and become effective before March 1, 2027, shall render corresponding provisions in this circular ineffective at the time these legal normative documents come into force.

3. During the period when the provisions of this circular are in effect, if the provisions regarding authority, responsibility for state management, procedures, and formalities in this circular differ from those in related legal normative documents, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of this circular.

Article 24. Implementation Organization

1. The Chairperson of the People's Committee of the province, heads of units under the Ministry, and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of this circular.

2. In case of difficulties during implementation, please report to the Ministry of Justice for guidance and resolution.

Article 11 of Circular No. 11/2025/TT-BTP amending, supplementing, and abolishing certain articles of circulars within the scope of state administration under the Ministry of Justice, taking effect from July 1, 2025, is stipulated as follows:

“Article 11. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2025.

2. This Circular ceases to be effective from March 1, 2027 except for the following cases:

a) Decree No. 120/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 11, 2025, of the Government on the delineation of authority of two-level local governments in the field of state administration under the Ministry of Justice, and Decree No. 121/2025/NĐ-CP dated June 11, 2025, of the Government on the delegation and decentralization in the field of state administration under the Ministry of Justice, if extended in their application period in whole or in part, the relevant provisions in this circular shall be permitted to extend their application period.

b) Laws, resolutions of the National Assembly, ordinances, resolutions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, decrees, resolutions of the Government, decisions of the Prime Minister, and other circulars of the Minister of Justice that provide for authority, responsibility for state management, procedures, and formalities as set forth in this circular, which are adopted or issued from July 1, 2025, and become effective before March 1, 2027, shall render corresponding provisions in this circular ineffective at the time these legal normative documents come into force.

3. During the period when the provisions of this circular are in effect, if the provisions regarding authority, responsibility for state management, procedures, and formalities in this circular differ from those in related legal normative documents, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of this circular.”