Legal Services Authorities Act, 1983

Introduction:

Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted to constitute legal services authorities for providing free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society to ensure that opportunities for securing justice were not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities and to organize Lok Adalats to ensure that the operation of the legal system promoted justice on a basis of equal opportunity. The interpretation of this Act in the light of its object reveals that it is a very good legislation for the amicable and speedy disposal of disputes.

For the proper implementation of the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 various authorities have been created at national, state, district and taluka level. These authorities have also been established at the level of Supreme Court and High Court.

Legal Services Authorities

National Legal Services Authority
Supreme Court Legal Services Committe
State Legal Services Authority
High Court Legal Services Committe
District Legal Services Authority
Taluka Legal Services Authority

National Legal Services Authority

National Legal Services Authority is the apex authority for providing legal services under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

Its composition makes it clear that people who are not from legal background have also been given an opportunity to be a part of this authority. When task is of amicable settlement of disputes by mediation or conciliation, then people with social background can be more efficiently. The tenure of its members is not very long. This provision also puts the check on the monopoly of few people in exercising power under this Act.

There are sufficient provisions for funds to implement the provisions of this Act. These provisions also provide very strict check against the misuse of the fund by proper maintaining of accounts and auditing of these accounts at regular interval of time.

Such provisions eliminate the chance of the corruption in National Legal Services Authority.

Composition:

The Chief Justice of India who shall be the Patron-in-Chief;

A serving or retired Judge of the Supreme Court to be nominated by the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, who shall be the Executive Chairman;

Such number of other members, possessing such experience and qualifications, as may be prescribed by the Central Government, to be nominated by that Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.

Functions:

· To lay down policies and principles for making legal services available under the provisions of the Act;

· To frame the most effective and economical schemes for the purpose of making legal services available under the provisions of this Act;

· To utilize the funds at its disposal and make appropriate allocations of funds to the State Authorities and District Authorities;

· To take necessary steps by way of social justice litigation with regard to consumer protection, environmental protection or any other matter of special concern to the weaker sections of the society and for this purpose, give training to social workers in legal skills;

· To organize legal aid camps, especially in rural area, slums or labour colonies with the dual propose of educating the weaker sections of the society as to their rights as well as encouraging the settlement of disputes through Lok Adalats,

· To encourage the settlement of disputes by way of negotiations, arbitration and conciliation;

· To undertake and promote research in the field of legal services with special reference to the need for such services among the poor;

· To do all things necessary for the purpose of ensuring commitment to the fundamental duties of citizens under Part IV-A of the Constitution;

· To monitor and evaluate implementation of the legal aid programmes at periodic intervals

· To provide grants-in-aid for specific schemes to various voluntary social service institutions

· To take appropriate measures for spreading legal literacy and legal awareness amongst the people and, in particular, to educate weaker sections of the society.

· To make special efforts to enlist the support of voluntary social welfare institutions working at the grass-root level,

· Monitor the functioning of State Authorities, District Authorities, Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, High Court Legal Services Committees, Taluk Legal Services Committees and voluntary social services institutions and other legal services organizations

· To give general directions for the proper implementation of the legal services programmes

The functions of the authority are very wide to cover all possible acts necessary for the achievement of the object of this Act. The only need is to implement these provisions with sincerity and honesty.