The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987, is an Act to constitute legal services authorities to entail the provision of free legal aid in civil and criminal matters for those poor and marginalized people who cannot afford the services of a lawyer for the conduct of a case or a legal proceeding in any court, tribunal or before an authority and to organise Lok Adalats to secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity.

What are Free Legal Services?

Legal Services includes providing Free Legal Aid to those weaker sections of the society who fall within the purview of Section 12 of the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987. It also entails creating legal awareness by spreading legal literacy through legal awareness camps, print media, digital media and organizing Lok Adalats for the amicable settlement of disputes which are either pending or which are yet to be filed, by way of compromise. NALSA also undertakes necessary steps by way of social action litigation with regards to any matter of special concern to the weaker sections of the society. Legal services also encompass facilitating the beneficiaries to get their entitlements under various government schemes, policies and legislations.

What is the nature of Free Legal Services?

  1. Representation by an Advocate in legal proceedings.
  2. Payment of process fees, expenses of witnesses and all other charges payable or incurred in connection with any legal proceedings in appropriate cases;
  3. Preparation of pleadings, memo of appeal, paper book including printing and translation of documents in legal proceedings;
  4. Drafting of legal documents, special leave petition etc.
  5. Supply of certified copies of judgments, orders, notes of evidence and other documents in legal proceedings.





HOW TO APPLY?

A person in need of free legal services can approach the concerned authority or committee through an application which could either be made by sending in written form, or by filling up the forms prepared by the said authorities stating in brief the reason for seeking legal aid or can be made orally in which case an officer of the concerned legal services authority or a Para Legal Volunteer can assist the person. A person can also apply online for getting Legal Aid to any Legal Services Institution in the country by filling up the Legal Aid Application form available online at NALSA’s website by going on the ‘Online Application’ Link on the Home Page, along with uploading necessary documents.

 

                

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