Here’s how to approach working with Christian Colleges in the Philippines and their Students with a clear distinction between lawful nonprofit support work and activities that might be considered unauthorized practice of law (UPL) in the Philippines:
In the Philippines: Legal Boundaries for Non-Profits
What Nonprofits Can Do for Crime Victims (e.g., sex trafficking survivors):
- Support Services & Counseling Referrals:
- Provide psychological first aid.
- Refer victims to conservative Christian biblical counselors.
- Offer life skills training, education, and vocational placement.
- Case Management & Service Navigation:
- Help victims access government programs (e.g., DSWD, CHR, POEA, DOJ support programs).
- Act as liaison between victim and law enforcement or prosecutors without interpreting legal options or giving legal advice.
- Coordinate logistics like transportation and documentation for victim services.
- Legal Referral & Support (not legal advice):
- Refer to licensed Philippine attorneys for civil and criminal cases.
- Coordinate appointments and help victims understand how to prepare documents—but not draft pleadings or provide legal strategy.
- Help with non-legal paperwork (IDs, affidavits for social benefits, etc.).
- Outreach and Awareness:
- Conduct educational campaigns about victim rights and trafficking prevention.
- Collaborate with churches and community leaders to create safe environments.
- Data Collection for Research and Reporting:
- Collect anonymized data on trafficking patterns and service outcomes for advocacy and fundraising.
- Work with universities for internship opportunities without engaging in legal practice.
❌ What Would Be Considered UPL in the Philippines:
According to the Supreme Court of the Philippines and the Code of Professional Responsibility:
- Drafting legal pleadings, affidavits, or contracts for a third party.
- Giving legal advice or opinions on specific rights and obligations.
- Representing victims in any official legal proceeding (even just appearing on their behalf).
- Negotiating settlements or filing complaints (civil or criminal) unless the individual is a licensed Philippine attorney.
This also means that student interns from Christian colleges in the Philippines:
- Can assist with intake, case documentation, referral coordination, and digital forms using DocupletionForms.com.
- Cannot perform legal drafting or counsel victims on legal matters unless under direct supervision of a Philippine-licensed attorney who is accountable for the work.
In the U.S.: How It Differs
In the United States:
- Nonprofits like PraxisProfessional.com can offer paralegal services to pro bono attorneys as long as those attorneys directly supervise the work.
- This does not constitute UPL because it’s an extension of the attorney’s own capacity under ABA Model Rules and state equivalents.
- Nonprofits may also handle document assembly, form-filling, and support services for clients in legal clinics under attorney oversight.
Structuring DocupletionForms.com Use in the Philippines
To stay compliant while still achieving your mission:
- Focus DocupletionForms.com on automating intake and service-matching, not legal form preparation.
- Design form templates that generate reports and summaries, not pleadings.
- Use the platform to facilitate multi-agency communication (e.g., between police, IJM, social workers, and churches).
- Add training modules in conservative Christian colleges to teach how tech and service coordination assist anti-trafficking work—without training students to do legal tasks.
- Recruit or partner with licensed Filipino attorneys when legal documents or litigation support are needed.
1. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for College Interns Using DocupletionForms.com
Purpose: To define the responsibilities and legal boundaries for student interns from Christian colleges in the Philippines who assist sex trafficking survivors through the use of DocupletionForms.com as part of nonprofit services offered by PraxisProfessional.com.
Scope: This SOP applies to all student volunteers and interns working under the supervision of PraxisProfessional.com and affiliated local agencies.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Interns may:
- Assist in non-legal data entry and intake using DocupletionForms.com.
- Help organize and upload documentation for government or social service referrals.
- Coordinate with service providers (e.g., shelters, counselors, schools) to schedule appointments.
- Refer victims to licensed attorneys and assist with logistical arrangements.
- Provide general information about services (without interpreting laws).
- Interns may NOT:
- Draft legal pleadings, affidavits, or contracts.
- Provide legal advice or explain legal rights.
- Represent victims before any authority.
- Assist in any legal negotiation or filing of claims.
Supervision Requirements:
- All activities must be supervised by a qualified team leader or case manager.
- Any legal task must be reviewed and approved by a licensed Philippine attorney.
Training Requirements:
- Completion of an onboarding session on the legal limitations and ethics of service.
- Completion of a training module on the use of DocupletionForms.com.
Compliance Monitoring:
- Activities will be logged in the DocupletionForms.com backend for review.
- Regular audits will ensure no UPL violations occur.
2. Brochure Text (White-Label PDF for Colleges)
Title: Empowering Students to Serve and Support Anti-Trafficking Work — Without Practicing Law
Header: Use your training. Change a life. Do it legally and ethically.
Overview: DocupletionForms.com and PraxisProfessional.com are partnering with Christian colleges across the Philippines to give students meaningful volunteer opportunities in anti-trafficking advocacy. Our digital platform allows students to work on the frontlines of rescue and recovery — without crossing legal lines.
How It Works:
- Students use our system to manage case intake, referrals, and document tracking.
- Activities are structured to comply with Philippine law and avoid unauthorized practice.
- Supervised by trained nonprofit leaders and overseen by licensed attorneys where needed.
What Students Can Do:
- Input survivor intake info.
- Coordinate shelter, counseling, and school re-entry.
- Refer survivors to lawyers.
- Help pastors and Christian counselors follow up.
What Students Can’t Do:
- Draft or explain legal documents.
- File cases or speak for a survivor before a court.
Benefits for Students:
- Real-world experience serving God’s justice.
- Resume building in social work, criminal justice, theology, or IT.
- Ministry exposure and hands-on care for the vulnerable.
Learn More: www.DocupletionForms.com/Philippines-Students
3. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Template
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
BETWEEN PraxisProfessional.com (Hereinafter referred to as the “Nonprofit”)
AND [Name of Law Enforcement Group, Law Firm, or College Partner] (Hereinafter referred to as the “Partner”)
Purpose: This Memorandum of Agreement establishes a cooperative relationship between the Nonprofit and the Partner to support sex trafficking survivors in the Philippines through non-legal, service-oriented interventions and technology-assisted coordination.
Scope of Collaboration:
- The Nonprofit shall:
- Provide access to the DocupletionForms.com platform.
- Train Partner’s designated personnel or student interns in non-legal support protocols.
- Coordinate with biblical counselors and social service agencies.
- The Partner shall:
- Supervise and guide any personnel or students assigned to the project.
- Ensure no unauthorized legal advice or document preparation is conducted.
- Provide access to survivors for service coordination, with consent.
Compliance and Ethics:
- Both parties agree to uphold the legal standards of the Philippines and avoid UPL.
- All legal matters shall be referred to licensed Philippine attorneys.
Term: This MOA shall remain in effect for one year from the date of signing, with automatic renewal unless terminated by either party with 30 days’ notice.
Signed on this ___ day of ________, 20
Representative, PraxisProfessional.com
Representative, [Partner Organization]
