Ninety final-year law students, under the guidance of faculty advisors and administrative staff from the department affiliated with the Escuela de Derecho y Ciencia Política UIS, provide legal services and legal guidance to the community. These services are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Sede UIS Bucarica, accessible via the side entrance (Calle 35 # 18-68).
“Service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis using numbered tickets given upon arrival at our facilities. This ensures that each user receives services continuously and daily. Why do we emphasize this? Because, while we are providing legal services, this is also a learning exercise for students in the ‘ Consultorio Jurídico 3’ course. The new group that started this week has undergone a training phase, including an induction week and a conciliation course. This foundational knowledge allows them to provide legal services effectively, utilizing conciliation as a special conflict resolution mechanism,” explained Professor Clara Inés Tapias Padilla, director of the department.
She added, “We invite the beneficiaries—those without financial resources and who belong to vulnerable population groups that receive special constitutional protection, such as the elderly, women, single mothers, unemployed individuals who cannot afford a lawyer, as well as members of the LGTBI community, Afro-descendants, and indigenous groups—to take advantage of this legal service offered by our Consultorio Jurídico.”
It is important to highlight that the legal services provided by Universidad Industrial de Santander are inclusive and offered with a differential approach, meaning they are also available to individuals with disabilities, including those who are deaf, blind, have reduced mobility, or use wheelchairs.
“We want these users, who require various types of support, to know that the Consultorio Jurídico provides special attention to ensure they receive legal services in the most humane and efficient way possible. We offer assistance in different legal areas, such as labor law, public law, civil law, family law, and consumer law, alongside our cross-cutting support lines, which include assistance for migrants, victims of displacement or any other crisis, and even environmental disasters—not only those related to armed conflict,” explained Professor Tapias Padilla.
Free Services with No Intermediaries
It is important to emphasize that the university offers its services freely, gratuitously, and in solidarity. The director of the Consultorio Jurídico clarified, “This is crucial to mention because, unfortunately, there are always ill-intentioned individuals—so-called intermediaries—who have no place in our Consultorio. Our goal is to assist those who truly lack the resources to access legal services.”
To access our services, the primary requirement is a valid national ID card. Additionally, if users have any documents related to their case, they are encouraged to bring them—either in physical or digital format. Digital documents, including digital IDs, can be presented via mobile devices, as document portability is now easier than ever.
Professor Tapias Padilla added, “We understand that many individuals face challenges due to their living situations, whether they reside in informal settlements or rural areas. It is important to recognize these variables to ensure they receive proper assistance. Therefore, presenting physical documentation is not a strict prerequisite—users can simply explain their situation. In many cases, beyond being a public service, our role is to assess their circumstances and determine whether they qualify as subjects of special constitutional protection, without requiring formal proof. This is important to mention, as we have tools such as ADRES (the General Social Security Health System Resource Administrator) and other verification methods to assist in this process.”
Finally, the Consultorio Jurídico y Centro de Conciliación encourages the community: “Sir, madam, if you live in a rural area or need legal advice, you only need to visit the Consultorio Jurídico UIS. We will ask for some basic information at the reception desk for validation and review. Once registered, we will assign you a student with excellent qualifications—highly trained and professional—to provide guidance, support, and information. Remember, you do not have to pay anything! This is a free service available to the community.”
