Introduction

• The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted on 5^th November 1995, with the objective of providing free legal aid and promoting justice for the marginalized and underprivileged sections of society.
• It operates at the national level and oversees the implementation of legal aid programs across the country.
• It was established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and ensures access to justice for all citizens, regardless of their social or economic status.

What is the Rationale behind Establishment of NALSA?

• Constitutional Objective:
  • Article 39A of the Constitution of India, 1950 mandates that the State must ensure that the legal system functions to uphold justice based on equal opportunity.
    • It specifically emphasizes the provision of free legal aid through appropriate laws, programs, or alternative methods to guarantee that access to justice is not hindered for any citizen due to economic or other constraints.

What are its Mandate and Objectives?

• Legal Aid Provision:
  • NALSA's primary objective is to provide free legal aid to the economically weaker sections of society and ensure that justice is not denied due to financial constraints.
• Awareness and Education:
  • NALSA conducts various programs and initiatives to raise awareness about legal rights and entitlements among the masses, empowering them to seek recourse through the legal system.
• Promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR):
  • NALSA promotes the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration to resolve conflicts outside the traditional court system, thus easing the burden on the judiciary.
• Protection of Human Rights:
  • NALSA is committed to safeguarding human rights and ensuring that justice is accessible to vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

What are the Functions of NALSA?

• Conducting Lok Adalats
• Payment of court fee, process fees and all other charges payable or incurred in connection with any legal proceedings
• Providing service of lawyers in legal proceedings
• Obtaining and supplying certified copies of orders and other documents in legal proceedings.
• Preparation of appeal, paper book including printing and translation of documents in legal proceedings.

Who can be the Beneficiary of NALSA?

• Women and children;
• Members of SC/ST
• Industrial workmen
• Victims of mass disaster, violence, flood, drought, earthquake, industrial disaster.
• Disabled persons.
• Persons in custody
• Persons whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 1 lakh (in the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee the limit is Rs. 5,00,000/-).
• Victims of Trafficking in Human beings or begar

What is the Organizational Structure of NALSA?

• Executive Body:
  • NALSA is headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who serves as the Patron-in-Chief.
  • It comprises other top judicial officials and legal experts who oversee its functioning and policy decisions.
• State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs):
  • At the state level, each state has its own State Legal Services Authority responsible for implementing legal aid programs and initiatives within its jurisdiction.
• District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs):
  • At the grassroots level, District Legal Services Authorities operate in every district to ensure that legal aid reaches the most marginalized sections of society.

What are Key Initiatives and Programs?

• Legal Aid Clinics:
  • NALSA has established legal aid clinics across various regions to provide on-the-ground assistance and guidance to individuals seeking legal recourse.
• Mobile Legal Aid Vans:
  • In remote and underserved areas, NALSA operates mobile legal aid vans equipped with legal professionals and resources to deliver legal services directly to communities.
• Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs):
  • NALSA trains and deploys para-legal volunteers to assist individuals in understanding their legal rights and navigating the complexities of the legal system.
• Legal Literacy Campaigns:
  • NALSA conducts legal literacy campaigns through workshops, seminars, and outreach programs to educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities under the law.

What are Challenges and Future Directions?

• Resource Constraints:
  • Limited funding and resources pose a significant challenge to NALSA's ability to reach all sections of society in need of legal assistance.
• Awareness and Accessibility:
  • Despite its efforts, awareness about legal aid services remains low among certain segments of the population, particularly in rural and remote areas.
• Legal Reforms:
  • NALSA continues to advocate for legal reforms aimed at enhancing access to justice, streamlining legal procedures, and addressing systemic issues within the judicial system.
• Harnessing Technology:
  • Embracing technology and digital platforms can enhance the reach and efficiency of NALSA's legal aid services, making them more accessible and user-friendly.

What are Recent Initiatives of NALSA?

• Legal Service Mobile App:
  • To enable equitable access to justice, NALSA has launched Legal Services Mobile App on Android and iOS versions to enable easy access to legal aid to common citizens.
• DISHA Scheme:
  • Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched comprehensive, holistic, integrated and systemic solution on access to justice at pan India level through a scheme titled “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)” being implemented from 2021-26.
  • All the Access to Justice Programmes have been merged under DISHA scheme and upscaled to all India level.