Over one crore cases were settled during the third National Lok Adalat conducted by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

About National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)

• Role: To provide free legal services to the weaker sections of society and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes.
• Prime Objective of NALSA: Speedy disposal of cases and reducing the burden on the judiciary.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Legal Services Institutions at Various Levels

• National Level: Constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. 
  • Patron-in-Chief: Chief Justice of India
  • Executive Chairman: Serving or retired Judge of the SC to be nominated by the President in consultation with the CJI
• State Level: State Legal Services Authority. 
  • Patron-in-Chief: Chief Justice of the State High Court 
• District Level: District Legal Services Authority. 
  • Ex-officio Chairman: The District Judge 
• Taluka/Sub-Division Level: Taluka/ Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committee. 
  • Headed by: Senior Civil Judge.
• High Court → High Court Legal Services Committee
• Supreme Court → Supreme Court Legal Services Committee

NALSA and Constitutional Underpinnings

• Article 22(1): Right to consult and to be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice in case of arrest.
• Article 39A (Part IV DPSPs): Provides for justice for all and free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society. (Added by 42nd CAA 1976)
• Article 14: Makes it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before law.
• Article 21: Right to free legal aid or free legal service is the FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Who is Eligible for Getting Free Legal Services?

• Women and children
• Members of SC/ST
• Industrial workmen
• Victims of mass disaster, violence, flood, drought, earthquake, industrial disaster.
• Disabled persons
• Persons in custody
• Those persons who have annual income of less than the amount prescribed by the respective State Government, if the case is before any court other than the Supreme Court.
  • Less than Rs. 5 Lakhs: If the case is before the Supreme Court.
• Victims of Trafficking in Human beings or begar.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store

About Lok Adalat

• One of the Alternative Disputes Resolution Mechanisms. 
• Forum where the disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/compromised amicably. 
• Statutory Status: Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. 
• Binding & Final: An award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no appeal lies against thereto before any court.
• Lok Adalats can be organized at the district, state, and national levels.
  • State/District Legal Services Authority or the Supreme Court/High Court/Taluk Legal Services Committee may organise Lok Adalat at such intervals and places and for exercising such jurisdiction and in such areas as it thinks fit

DOWNLOAD PDF