Statutes and Acts

Free Legal aid services to poor and marginalized draws statutory mandate from Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. However, Legal aid services finds its genesis in the articles of Constitution itself. Article 39A of the Constitution of India provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society and mandates ensuring justice for all. Articles 14 and 22(1) of the Constitution also make it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before law and an equitable legal system. The Legal Services Authorities Act, 198, was enacted by the Parliament which came into force on 9th November, 1995. The Act aims establishing a nationwide uniform network for providing free legal services to the weaker sections of the society in the constitutional spirit of equal opportunity to all citizens. The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 for effective implementation of its provisions. NALSA and SCLSC and Role in Leg...

Free Legal Services/ Legal Aid by NALSA is one of the noblest cause taken up for the marginalized and poor of social settings. In fact, accessibility to Legal Services is as basic to a common man as food and shelter. The very noble spirit of constitution equal 'protection of law' and ‘Justice to all’ cannot be accomplished until the justice dispensation mechanism is in reach of weaker section of society. In order to accomplish the spirit enshrined in our Constitution, Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 was enacted by the Indian parliament and National Legal Services Authority has been brought into being for effective implementation of the mandates of the Act. Legal Services finds statutory definition under Section 2(c) of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. The section defines it as: “legal services” includes any service in the conduct of any case or other legal proceeding before any court or other authority or tribunal and the giving of advice on any legal matter.   ...