National Legal Services Day 2022: History, Significance, Theme & More

Every year on November 9, National Legal Services Day is celebrated to mark the beginning of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987, which went into effect in 1995. State Legal Services Authorities across the nation conduct legal awareness events on National Legal Services Day to inform people about the availability of free legal help. Additionally, every year campaigns are held across the country to inform the public of the many services offered by Legal Services Authorities.

The Government provides Grant-in-Aid and other forms of logistical support to develop the legal services authorities and institutions. NALSA receives monthly activity reports from all the State Legal Services Authority (SLAs) outlining all the actions carried out in order to track the performance of the legal services authorities.

All of the State Legal Services Authority (SLAs) submit monthly activity reports to NALSA detailing all the activities completed during a specific month in order to track the performance of the legal services authorities. In addition to receiving monthly activity reports, the NALSA also compiles its own annual report and submits it to both Houses of the Indian Parliament. It also receives annual reports from all SLAs.

NALSA: A Review Of Last Five Year's Events

• A six-week long Pan India Legal Awareness and Outreach Campaign, which includes Door-to-Door Campaigns, Legal Awareness Programs, awareness through Mobile Vans, and awareness through Legal Aid Clinics, was launched in the year 2021 from October 2 to November 14, 2021.
• Additionally, "Legal Services Week" was also observed from November 8 to November 14, 2021, during which time more than 38 crore people were polled, interacted with, or informed of their rights. On November 9, 2021, which is Legal Services Day, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) also organized a national-level event where the iOS version of the Legal Services Mobile Application was released, and the online portal for submitting Legal Aid applications was made available in ten different languages.

National Legal Service Day 2022: Theme

The Government has been sending out the legal message that everyone who falls under the category of poor citizens (and is unable to pay for legal services) is entitled to free legal services as a matter of law.

The Following Boards/Organizations Were Founded To Provide Free Legal Aid To the Poor & Weaker Sections Of The Society:

• National Level- National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
• Supreme Court Level- Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC)
• High Court Level- 39 High Court Legal Services Committees (HCLSCs)
• State Level- 37 State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs)
• District level- 673 District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs)
• Taluk level- 2465 Taluk Legal Services Committees (TLSCs)

What Is The Purpose Of National Legal Service Day?

Every year on November 9, the nation as a whole observes National Legal Service Day. On November 9, 1995, it went into effect. The purpose of the Day is to raise public awareness of the different sections of the Legal Services Authorities Act as well as the rights of litigants. In accordance with the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, NALSA was established to arrange Lok Adalats for the peaceful resolution of disputes and to offer free legal services to the less fortunate members of society.

National Legal Service Day 2022: About

• The Supreme Court of India established NLSD in 1995 to aid and promote the weaker and poorer segments of society.
• In cases before Civil, Criminal, and Revenue Courts, Tribunals, or any other entity exercising judicial or quasi-judicial duties, free legal services are offered. It is done to inform the populace about the legal services authorities act's numerous provisions as well as the rights of the litigants. Every jurisdiction arranges legal help programmes, Lok adalats, and legal aid camps on this Day.

Provisions of the Constitution

• According to Article 39A of the Indian Constitution, the State must ensure that the functioning of the legal system promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity. In particular, it must provide free legal aid through appropriate legislation, programmes, or other means to ensure that no citizen is denied the opportunity to obtain justice due to a financial or other disability.
• Additionally, the State is required under Articles 14 and 22(1) to secure equality before the law and a judicial system that advances justice on the basis of equal opportunity for everyone.

Legal Services Authorities: Goals

• Offer free legal assistance and counsel.
• Raise people's awareness of the law.
• Put together lok adalats.

The Development and Current Status of the Legal Aid Movement in India

• According to Article 39A of the Indian Constitution, the State must ensure that the functioning of the legal system promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity. In particular, it must provide free legal aid through appropriate legislation, programmes, or other means to ensure that no citizen is denied the opportunity to obtain justice due to a financial or other disability. The State is required by Articles 14 and 22(1) to guarantee equality before the law and a legal system that advances justice on the basis of equal opportunity for everyone. Legal aid works to ensure that the Constitution's promise is upheld in letter and spirit and that equal justice is administered.
• The first legal aid movement appears to have started in 1851 when a law requiring lawyers to assist the poor was passed in France. In Britain, the history of organized efforts on the part of the State to provide legal services to the poor and needy dates back to 1944, when Lord Chancellor Viscount Simon appointed the Rushcliffe Committee to investigate the facilities existing in England and Wales for giving legal advice to the poor and to make recommendations as seem desirable for ensuring that individuals in need of legal advice are provided with the same by the State.
• National Legal Services Authority was constituted on December 5, 1995. His Lordship Hon. Dr Justice A.S. Anand, Judge, Supreme Court of India, took over as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority on 17the July 1997. Soon after assuming the office, His Lordship initiated steps for making the National Legal Services Authority functional. The first Member Secretary of the authority joined in December 1997, and by January 1998, the other officers and staff were also appointed. By February 1998, the office of the National Legal Services Authority became properly functional for the first time.
• Hon. Dr Justice A.S. Anand assumed the position of Chief Justice of India in October 1998, making him the organization's Patron-in-Chief. The senior-most judge on the Indian Supreme Court, His Lordship Mr Justice S.P. Bharucha, has been appointed executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority.

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