Why is National Legal Services Day observed on November 9? What is its significance? What is NALSA? Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here’s your knowledge nugget for today.

Knowledge Nugget: National Legal Services Day 2024

Subject: Polity and Social Justice

(Relevance: This topic is important for subjects like polity and social justice. UPSC has also asked questions about legal services. For example, in the UPSC CSE Prelims 2013, a question about national legal services was asked. Thus, it becomes important to know about legal services and related institutes.)

National Legal Services Day is observed in India every year on November 9 to promote legal awareness and ensure access to justice for all citizens, particularly those from marginalised communities. Through various initiatives and programs, this day aims to empower individuals with knowledge of their legal rights and promote conflict resolution mechanisms to create a more equitable society.

1. The Supreme Court of India established National Legal Services Day in 1995 to provide free legal assistance and support to society’s most vulnerable section. The day emphasizes empowering marginalised communities, highlighting the importance of equal access to justice, and advocating that no one should be deprived of legal representation due to economic disadvantages.

2. It aims to bridge the gap between the law and people in greatest need through a variety of activities organised by NALSA and other legal entities, including legal awareness programs, workshops, and camps.

Historical Background

3. In 1987 Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted to give a statutory base to legal aid programmes throughout the country on a uniform pattern. This Act was finally enforced on 9th of November, 1995 after certain amendments were introduced therein by the Amendment Act of 1994. Hon. Mr. Justice R.N. Mishra the then Chief Justice of India played a key role in the enforcement of the Act.

National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)

1. The NALSA has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society. It organizes Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes. It also monitors and reviews various legal aid programs and  provides rules and principles for legal services under the Act.

2. NALSA also distributes funding and grants to state legal services authorities and non-profit organisations to help them execute legal aid systems and initiatives.

3. Hon’ble Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief and NALSA is housed at Supreme Court of India.

 State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) & District Legal Services Authority (DLSA)

1. The State Legal Services Authority is established in every state to implement NALSA policies and provide free legal services, including Lok Adalats.

2. The State Legal Services Authority is headed by Hon’ble Chief Justice of the respective High Court who is the Patron-in-Chief of the State Legal Services Authority.

3. Similarly, in every District, District Legal Services Authority has been constituted to implement Legal Services Programmes in the District. The District Legal Services Authority is chaired by the District Judge of the respective district and is situated in the District Courts Complex in every District.

4. Other than these, there are Taluka/ Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committee (headed by a senior Civil Judge), High Court Legal Services Committee and Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.

Who is Eligible for Getting Free Legal Services?

Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act every person who has to file or defend a case shall be entitled to legal services under this Act if that person is:

—Women and children

—Members of SC/ST

—Industrial workmen

—Victims of mass disaster, violence, flood, drought, earthquake, industrial disaster.

—Disabled persons

—Persons in custody

—If that person is related to section 2 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986 (53 of 1986) or in a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home within the meaning of clause (g) of section 2 of the Mental Health Act, 1987 (14 of 1987)

—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, and less than Rs. 5 Lakhs, if the case is before the Supreme Court.

—Victims of Trafficking in Human beings or begar.

1. Article 39A of the Constitution of India: It provides that State shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity, and shall in particular, provide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other way, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disability.

2. Articles 14 and 22(1) also make it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before law and a legal system that promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity to all.

(Sources: National Legal Services Day 2024: origin and significance, UPSC Essentials: One word a day – NALSA)

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