In news– In India, National Legal Services Day is observed on 9th November.
About National Legal Services Day
- It is observed every year by all Legal Services Authorities, to commemorate the enactment of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987.
- It aims to create awareness about the various provisions related to the act.
- This Day was commenced by the Supreme Court of India in 1995.
- This year, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) observed Legal Services Day in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
About Legal Services Authorities Act–
- This act was passed in 1987 and came into force on 9th November 1995.
- It aims to provide competent and free legal aid to people who belong to marginalised socio-economic communities in the country.
- The Act also mentions the setting up of Lok Adalats for the settlement of disputes amicably.
- The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under this act.
- The NALSA bears the costs of filing or defending the case, as well as providing the person with counsel at the expense of the state.
This Act provides free legal aid to a person if any of the following criteria are met:
- They are a member of a Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe, a woman, child, specially-abled or mentally challenged, victims of human trafficking or beggar,
- An industrial workman,
- A victim of “a mass disaster, ethnic violence, caste atrocity”, natural or industrial disaster,
- A person in custody, juvenile home or protective custody or in a psychiatric nursing home or hospital,
- A person with annual income of less than Rs 9,000 or any such amount laid down by the government.
Source: PIB
