Legal assistance services expand access to justice in Brazil

Legal assistance programs in Brazil are providing critical support to citizens seeking judicial guidance, particularly in family law matters. In Petrolina, the Judicial Assistance service reported that child support claims account for more than 50% of its cases. In 2026, the agency has already conducted over 5,000 consultations and filed more than 1,500 legal actions, helping low-income individuals secure basic rights for children and adolescents.

In Ubatã, the Public Defender's Office of the State of Bahia (DPE-BA) deployed a mobile unit to offer free legal services. The initiative provides guidance on criminal law, consensual divorce, custody, visitation rights, and civil registry rectifications. Additionally, the mobile unit offers free DNA testing to assist with paternity investigations and the formal recognition of filiation, which facilitates access to child support and civil registration.