A 1987 Act built India's legal aid pyramid, from the Supreme Court down to every District Court complex
Background
The National Legal Services Authority was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free legal services to the weaker sections of society and to organise Lok Adalats for the amicable settlement of disputes.
The Chief Justice of India is its Patron-in-Chief and a Judge of the Supreme Court of India is its Executive Chairman.
It is housed at the Supreme Court of India, Tilak Marg, New Delhi, and its Centre for Citizen Services is at Jaisalmer House, 26 Man Singh Road, New Delhi; the national legal aid helpline number is 15100.
In every State a State Legal Services Authority gives effect to the policies of the Authority; it is headed by the Chief Justice of that High Court as Patron-in-Chief, with the seniormost Judge of the High Court nominated as Executive Chairman.
In every district a District Legal Services Authority sits in the District Courts complex, chaired by the District Judge, with a judicial officer of the Civil Judge cadre appointed as full-time Secretary.
The constitutional basis is Article 39A, which directs the State to provide free legal aid so that opportunities for securing justice are not denied by reason of economic or other disabilities, read with Articles 14 and 22(1).
In plain words
Lok Adalat Lok Adalat — A forum organised under the 1987 Act where disputes are settled amicably rather than tried.
Patron-in-Chief Patron-in-Chief — The ceremonial head of a legal services authority, the Chief Justice at the national and State levels.
Article 39A Article 39A of the Constitution — A Directive Principle requiring the State to provide free legal aid so that economic disability does not deny justice.