Legal services in South Korea

Hello,

Legal services can be a headache when you don't have the relevant and necessary information, especially upon moving to a new country. Please share some tips regarding legal services in South Korea.

What types of legal services might an expat need in South Korea?

Are legal services easily accessible?

What are the best ways to go about finding a professional for your legal needs in South Korea? (e.g. online, yellow pages, word of mouth)?

What are the most affordable options for legal services (private, public, etc.)? Is there a range regarding fees?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Priscilla

In general, you are far more likely to find an attorney online than through any other method.  You could, of course, try Craigslist, but finding an attorney who is competent,  speaks English, and wants to take your case can be a challenge.

The major of legal disputes for expats appear to be related to employment at language institutes and since many expats, perhaps the majority, will be employed under E1 or E2 visas and require Korean employer sponsorship.  Although most Korean employers are honorable, expats are likely to get into trouble when dealing with the smaller language schools than in the larger schools, so if possible, try to find larger and more established schools and if possible, work for universities or colleges.

Before accepting employment with any language institute, please do your due diligence, note that damage to one's reputation rather than the truth of your allegations tends to be test for defamation in Korea and try to see if the school you are applying for has found itself on an unofficial blacklist before accepting a position.

There are several websites dedication to legal issues and cheating by language institutes is the number one subject of discussion.