What is NALSA?
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- NALSA, established under the Legal Services Authorities 1987 Act, oversees legal aid policies and activities across India.
- Aim: to provide free legal services to the poor and marginalized in India.
- NALSA provides legal aid for cases in courts, tribunals, and other judicial bodies, and promotes alternative dispute resolution.
- Central Government allocates annual funds to NALSA, distributed to State and District Legal Services Authorities.
- State Governments cover state-level expenses, including salaries.
- The weaker sections covered under Section 12 of the law include:
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- Women and Children
- Members of Scheduled caste or Scheduled Tribes
- Industrial Workmen o Persons with Disability
- Persons in Custody
- Victims of Human trafficking
- Victims of Natural Disasters, Ethnic/caste violence, industrial Disaster
- Persons with an annual income of less than Rs 1,00,000/- Or as notified by the Central/State Governments
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- NALSA grants authority to oversee legal aid initiatives to:
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- Legal Services Authority at National/State/District Level
- Taluka/Sub divisional Legal Services Committee
- High court and Supreme Court Legal Services Committees
Functions of NALSA
- Advocate representation, process fee payments, document preparation, including drafting and translation, and provision of certified copies of legal documents in proceedings.
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- Participation in PILs litigation for social justice on behalf of the marginalized.
- Aimed at resolving legal disputes expeditiously and reducing the burden on the formal judicial system.
- To promote legal literacy through seminars, television, internships for law students etc.
- To provide compensation and support to women who are victims or survivors of sexual assault or other crimes.
Government Initiatives for legal aid
- DISHA: Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India.
- Nyaya Bandhu Platform: Facilitate connection between Pro Bono Advocates and registered beneficiaries.
- Tele-Law Service: Connect beneficiaries with lawyers via tele/video conferencing.
- Nyaya Mitra programme: Facilitate disposal of 15-year-old pending cases at the district level.
Constitutional Provisions related to Free Legal Aid
- Article 39A: Mandates the State to ensure justice with equal opportunity, including free legal aid provision.
- Article 14: Guarantees equality before the law for all individuals within India’s territory.
- Article 22(1): Provides protection to individuals arrested or detained, ensuring their right to legal consultation and representation.