Beijing lawmakers are drawing up a local statute to provide legal aid to low-income residents in civil cases, according to a September 24 report by the China News Service.

The draft states that low-income residents of Beijing should be entitled to free legal assistance in civil cases involving domestic violence, traffic accidents, workplace injuries, social security and child support payments, as long as they are able to provide documentary evidence of their financial situation.

The draft also states that the statute will apply to migrant workers demanding payment of back wages or claiming compensation for workplace injuries, as well as people injured while assisting others.

The qualifying income threshold will be set at the same level as the city’s minimum substance allowance, currently 390 yuan (US$ 57.14) per month.

The draft statute also stipulates that requests for legal assistance should receive a response within seven working days.

(China.org.cn by He Shan, September 25, 2008)