Guidelines

How do I apply for free legal aid?

How do I apply for free legal aid?

A person in need of free legal services can approach the concerned authority or committee through an application which could either be made by sending in written form or by filling up the forms prepared by the said authorities stating in brief the reason for seeking legal aid or can be made orally, in which case an …

What is mean by free legal aid?

Free legal aid is the provision of free legal services in civil and criminal matters for those poor and marginalized people who cannot afford the services of a lawyer for the conduct of a case or a legal proceeding in any Court, Tribunal or Authority.

What is Article 39 A?

Article 39A of the Constitution of India provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society and ensures justice for all. In every State, a State Legal Services Authority and in every High Court, a High Court Legal Services Committee have been constituted.

What is the fees of advocate?

4. Advocate’s fee when no specific orders as to the amount of cost made by Court. — When the Court awards costs in any matter without specifying the amount or the scale thereof and the amount thereof is not prescribed under any Act or rule, a sum of Rs. 60 shall be allowed as the Advocate’s fee.

What is the legal aid scheme?

An introduction to the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987: Legal Aid scheme was first introduced by Justice P.N. Bhagwati under the Legal Aid Committee formed in 1971. Legal Aid: Legal aid may be taken to mean free legal assistance to the poor persons in any judicial proceedings before the.

How much do you need to earn to qualify for legal aid?

To qualify for legal aid services such as Duty Counsel assistance (for criminal, family law and child protection cases) and summary legal advice (through the toll-free telephone service), your annual gross family income as of April 1, 2020 must be: Below $22,720 for a family of 1. Below $32,131 for a family of 2.

Why do we need a free legal aid scheme?

It guarantees to provide equal access to the justice system to persons who are not in financial sound condition, by providing legal and professional assistance free of cost or at lower fees.

Any person in need of free legal aid can approach the concerned authority or committee in three ways that are as follow: By sending an application which could be in written form or it can be made orally as well to the officer or the para legal volunteer of the concerned legal services authority.

How many lawyers are in the free legal advice scheme?

All the lawyers giving advice to members of the public through the Free Legal Advice Scheme are qualified lawyers who join the Scheme on volunteer basis. There are over 900 lawyers participating in the Scheme. Each lawyer interviews 5 cases each evening and each interview will be allocated 20 to 30 minutes.

Why is free legal aid ineffective in India?

The free legal aid has proven to be ineffective in India. There is a perception that the free service is incompatible with the quality of service, and there are not enough lawyers under the authorities who deliver free legal aid services and they are least interested in providing legal assistance because of financial constraints.