Appeal Dismissed for Failure to Substantiate Financial Need for Legal Aid

The appellate court dismissed an appeal against the denial of free legal aid because the appellant, despite being subject to a comprehensive duty to disclose and substantiate their current financial situation, failed to meet this obligation, even after being requested in the appeal proceedings to submit current financial documentation like recent tax returns or financial statements, instead offering only unsubstantiated claims regarding their assets and liabilities. The court reasoned that while the principle of official investigation applies in free legal aid proceedings, the applicant must fully cooperate by providing verifiable details of income, assets, and obligations; non-compliance with this mandatory disclosure, especially when financial circumstances are complex, justifies the rejection of the application for lack of substantiation regarding indigence.