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Legal Services Authority Act 1987 Assignment

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 aims to institutionalize legal aid for underprivileged individuals in India, rooted in the constitutional mandate of Article 39A. It establishes a nationwide network of Legal Services Authorities to provide free legal services and organize Lok Adalats for dispute resolution. The Act emphasizes the importance of legal education and awareness, ensuring that justice is accessible to all citizens, thereby reinforcing democratic principles.

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21 views2 pages

Legal Services Authority Act 1987 Assignment

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 aims to institutionalize legal aid for underprivileged individuals in India, rooted in the constitutional mandate of Article 39A. It establishes a nationwide network of Legal Services Authorities to provide free legal services and organize Lok Adalats for dispute resolution. The Act emphasizes the importance of legal education and awareness, ensuring that justice is accessible to all citizens, thereby reinforcing democratic principles.

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rimjhimray4
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Assignment on Legal Services Authority Act, 1987

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, stands as a vital piece of legislation aimed at

institutionalizing and formalizing the provision of legal aid to the underprivileged sections of society

in India. The roots of this initiative go back to the Legal Aid Committee of 1971 under Justice P.N.

Bhagwati, who envisioned a legal system that is easily accessible to every individual, regardless of

their economic or social status.

Article 39A of the Constitution of India mandates the State to ensure that the legal system promotes

justice on a basis of equal opportunity and provides free legal aid to citizens. This constitutional

commitment laid the groundwork for the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which was enforced

on 9th November 1995.

The Act provides for the establishment of a nationwide network of Legal Services Authorities at the

National, State, District, and Taluk levels. At the apex is the National Legal Services Authority

(NALSA), which frames policies and provides funding to State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs).

These authorities further coordinate with District and Taluk Legal Services Committees to deliver

free legal services and organize Lok Adalats.

The Act defines "legal services" as including representation by a lawyer in legal proceedings,

payment of court fees, and other incidental expenses. Section 12 of the Act lays out the eligibility

criteria, such as members of Scheduled Castes or Tribes, women, children, industrial workers,

victims of disasters, and those in custody or mental health institutions.

Important sections include Section 2 (definitions), Section 6 (State Legal Services Authority), and

Section 22B (Permanent Lok Adalats). Lok Adalats serve as alternative forums for dispute resolution
and have proven effective in relieving court burdens and offering speedy, inexpensive justice.

The Supreme Court has upheld the importance of free legal aid in cases like Hussainara Khatoon v.

State of Bihar and Suk Das v. Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing its connection to

Article 21 of the Constitution.

The Act also mandates the establishment of legal aid cells in jails, organizes legal awareness

campaigns through NGOs, and underscores the significance of legal education and literacy in

empowering citizens.

This comprehensive approach not only fulfills constitutional mandates but also reinforces the

democratic fabric by ensuring justice is not the privilege of the few, but the right of all.

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