Abstract: Rendering legal assistance to the population is one of the crucial vectors in the activity of legislative and executive branches, as well as local self-governance in different countries. The subject of this research is the formulation of recommendations aimed at elimination of gaps in the current legislation in the area of rendering free legal assistance to the population of the Russian Federation. The article presents an analytical overview of the peculiarities of rendering free legal assistance to the citizens in Russia and abroad. Emphasis is placed on analysis of the current legislation that regulates the indicated area of legal relations, effectiveness of its application, and further improvement. The novelty of the acquired results consists in the use of comprehensive approach towards examination of theoretical and empirical materials, as well as in proposing ways to improve the mechanism of rendering free legal assistance to the Russian population. As there is currently a complex mechanism for the lawyers to provide reports in order to be paid for their assistance, it is offered to develop requirements on the federal level to receive compensation for their work. It is also essential to establish on the federal level the minimum compensation for each type of legal aid. For increasing information awareness of the citizens on the possibilities of receiving free legal aid, it is necessary to give closer attention to legal education (availability of mass media and Internet resources, creation of thematic sections and banners, publication of information of websites and at the premises of multifunctional centers, etc.). The made proposals and recommendations can be used as the theoretical framework for solution of practical problems associated with rendering free legal assistance to the population.