NALSA: the authority built on Article 39 A to give free legal aid and to organise Lok Adalats

Background

Article 39 A of the Constitution of India provides for free legal aid to the weaker sections of the society, to promote justice on the basis of equal opportunity, and Articles 14 and 22(1) of the Constitution also make it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before law. In 1987, the Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted by the Parliament, and it 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. Under that network, the Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief of the National Legal Services Authority and the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court of India is the Executive Chairman of the Authority. NALSA states that its principal objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes, and that its functions also include spreading legal literacy and awareness and undertaking social justice litigations. It works in close coordination with the State Legal Services Authorities, District Legal Services Authorities and other agencies. NALSA is housed at Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road, New Delhi-110011.