Context (IE): SC judge Justice BR Gavai has been nominated as the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) Chairman.
The LSAA, 1987, came into effect in November 1995
The idea of a legal aid programme was floated in the 1950s.
In 1980, the Committee for Implementing Legal Aid Schemes (CILAS) was established under the chairmanship of then SC judge Justice PN Bhagwati.
The National Legal Service Day (NLSD) was declared on November 9, 2009.
As stated under the Act, the legal aid is to be provided by the State, District, and Taluk Legal Service Authorities/Commissions formed throughout the country.
Types of services under the Legal Services Authority Act
Free legal awareness
To make the public aware of laws and schemes issued by public authorities.
Legal camps and aid centres are organised by authorities so that the general public can seek advice.
Free legal aid counsel
A person who wants to defend or file a case in a court of law but does not have the means to hire an advocate can seek the assistance of a free legal aid attorney.
Lok Adalats are the primary method by which the legal services authorities decide disputes.
Victim Compensation
Settlements of disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms.
Various ADR mechanisms are Arbitration, Conciliation, and Judicial settlement, including settlement through Lok Adalat or Mediation.
ADR refers to how people can resolve disputes without a trial. These processes are generally confidential, less formal, and less stressful than traditional court proceedings.
ADR can be instrumental in reducing the burden of litigation on courts
Structural Organization under LSAA
National Level: NALSA was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
It monitors and reviews the effectiveness of legal aid programs.
It develops rules and principles for providing legal services under the Act.
It also distributes funding and grants to state legal services authorities and non-profit organisations to help them execute legal aid systems and initiatives.
Composition Of NALSA
NALSA shall consist of the CJI, who shall be the Patron-in-Chief.
A serving or retired Judge of the SC (nominated by the President, in consultation with the CJI) who shall be the Executive Chairman.
Who is eligible to get free legal services?
Women and children
Members of SC/ST
Industrial workmen
Victims of mass disasters, violence, floods, drought, earthquakes, and industrial disasters.
Disabled persons
Persons in custody
Victims of Trafficking in Human beings or begar.
Those persons who have an annual income of less than
The amount prescribed by the respective State Government, if the case is before any court other than the SC, and
Rs. 5 Lakhs if the case is before the Supreme Court.
Other Initiatives
Legal Service Mobile App
NALSA has launched the Legal Services Mobile App on Android and iOS to enable easy access to legal aid for ordinary citizens.
DISHA Scheme
The Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched comprehensive, holistic, integrated and systemic solutions for access to justice at the pan-India level.
This will be achieved through a “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)” scheme.
All the Access to Justice Programmes have been merged under the DISHA scheme and upscaled to all India levels.