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.
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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.
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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
September 16, 2024
