30 Years of Legal Services Authority Act,1987

About Legal Services Authorities Act

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, is a landmark piece of legislation in India that aims to fulfil the constitutional promise of justice for all.
Though enacted in 1987, the nationwide network under the act came into force 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.
Enacted to give practical effect to Article 39-A of the Indian Constitution, the Act’s primary objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of society.
Legal aid forms part of the broader right to equality and fair trial (Articles 14 & 21) as recognised by Supreme Court judgments (Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar, 1979).

The Act prescribes a multi-tiered structure of authorities to implement and monitor legal services:

Level	Authority / Committee	Heading Position
National	National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)	Constituted under the Act. The Chief Justice of India serves as Patron-in-Chief.
State	State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) for each state/UT.	Headed by Chief Justice of respective High Court as Patron-in-Chief.
District	District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) (for each district).	District Judge is its ex-officio Chairman

Women and Children
Members of SCs/STs
Victims of Trafficking or disasters
Mentally ill or disabled
Industrial workmen
Persons in custody
Those with income below the prescribed limit (below ₹5 lakh for Supreme Court cases)
Senior citizens’ eligibility for free legal aid depends on the Rules framed by the respective State Governments.

Legal aid is funded by the central and state governments and donations through a three-tier funding structure:
- Central funding or donations to the Central Authority through the National Legal Aid Fund.
- Central or State Government funding or other contributions to the State Authority through the State Legal Aid Fund.
- State Government funding or other donations to the District Authority through the District Legal Aid Fund.

Tele-Law Programme (2017): Provides legal advice via Common Service Centres (CSCs).
NYAYA Bandhu: Pro Bono Legal Services, 2018, which connects lawyers with needy citizens.
Pan India Awareness and Outreach Campaigns (2021–2025): Enhance grassroots legal literacy.
DISHA Scheme: Focuses on comprehensive, holistic, integrated and systemic solutions for access to justice at the pan-India level.