Foreword

• Masuk N.N.

  Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service
  Vladivostok. Russia

• Barannik I.N.

  Department of the Russian Ministry of Justice in Primorsky region
  Vladivostok, Russia

An extended meeting under the leadership of the Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation A. Konovalov, concerning the provision of legal aid to the population of the Far East and access to justice was held in Vladivostok in December 2012. Representatives of federal and regional authorities, lawyers, notary and university communities took part in this meeting.

During the discussion, particular attention was paid to the provision of free legal aid to socially disadvantaged categories of citizens on the territory of the Far Eastern Federal District and the federal law enforcement "About legal aid in the Russian Federation".

Alexander Konovalov pointed out in his speech that it is important to improve the legal culture and literacy, people should be aware of their rights and should be taught how to protect those rights. Such assistance should be available and should meet the necessary quality standards and qualifications.

The Governor of the Primorsky Region Vladimir Miklushevsky took part in the meeting and told about the creation of the legal framework in the region for providing free legal aid to the population. He also informed that 12 million rubles will be allocated from the regional budget in 2013. Those money will be paid to lawyers in order to provide such assistance to the population.

The meeting resulted in the decision to initiate the inclusion of amendments to the Strategy of socio-economic development of the Far
East and the Baikal region until 2025 and the inclusion of the positions of public authorities of the Far Eastern Federal District participation in ensuring the development of free legal aid to the population of the region.

It was suggested that regions of the Far Eastern Federal District where there is no legal regulation of free legal aid should focus their executive power on creating such regulations.

Considering the fact that the event had a positive public response to the legal community, Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service with the participation of the Department of the Russian Ministry of Justice in Primorsky region formed a collection of articles on providing qualified legal aid to the population. This collection contains materials provided by the participants of the meeting, as well as by Russian scientists who are experts in this field.