Observance of National Legal Services Day
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
Polity & Governance
- Published
11th Nov, 2021
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Context
The National Legal Services Day (NLSD) is celebrated on 9th November every year to spread awareness for ensuring reasonable fair and justice procedures for all citizens.
Background
- The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 was enacted on October 11, 1987, and the act came into effect on November 9, 1995.
- NLSD was first started by the Supreme Court of India in 1995 to provide help and support to poor and weaker sections of society.
- Free legal services are provided in matters before Civil, Criminal and Revenue Courts, Tribunals or any other authority exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions.
- It is observed to make the citizens of the country aware of the various provisions under the Legal Services Authorities Act and the rights of the litigants.
- On this day, each jurisdiction organizes legal aid camps, Lok adalats, and legal aid programmes.
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What is the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987?
- It is an act of the Parliament of India to enforce the provisions of Article 39 A of the Constitution.
- The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 guarantees the fundamental rights to all the citizens of the country.
- Article 39 A of the Constitution is related to the promotion of justice based on the equal opportunity by providing free legal aid to the unaffordable sections of the society like the poor and economically weaker sections.
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Constitutional Provisions
- Article 39A of the Constitution of India 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 because of economic or other disability.
- Articles 14 and 22(1) also make it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before the law and a legal system that promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity to all.
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National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
- NALSA was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 which came into force on 9th November 1995 to establish a nationwide uniform network for providing free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society.
- The Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief and the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court of India is the Executive Chairman of the Authority.
- It can be noted that the role played by NALSA and its networks is very much relevant to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal-16, which seeks to "Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels".
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