- Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act 1987 aims to establish a nationwide network for providing free and competent legal services to society’s weaker sections.
- It gives effect to Article 39A (free legal aid to poor and weaker sections of society).
- It constitutes National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) as apex organization, which frames and monitors legal aid policies and activities.
- It also provides for Supreme Court Legal Service Committee (LSC) in Supreme Court, State LSAs in every state, High Court LSCs in every high court, and District LSAs in districts.
- Activities of LSAs include legal aid and advice, implementing alternative dispute resolution mechanism (Lok Adalat and Mediation), and implement victim compensation schemes.
Identified Issues with LSAA | Recommendations of the committee |
Lack of awareness and legal education | Extensive mass media campaign for legal education. |
Static grants-in-aid to NALSA and decline in allocated funds | Substantial increase in grant-in-aid to NALSA. |
Reluctance of lawyers to provide pro bono services | NALSA should compensate lawyers adequately and monitor efficacy and accountability of legal aid services. |
Challenges in Lok Adalats due to limited powers, lack of proper procedure and inadequate infrastructure | Strengthen Lok Adalats with adequate powers, proper procedure, infrastructure, staff and modern technology. |
Underutilization of Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs assists LSAs and Lok Adalats) | Capacity building of PLVs along with adequate compensation and support. |