Legal Services include providing free legal aid to the weaker sections of the society who fulfil the criteria mentioned under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987. Free Legal Services also include creating legal awareness by spreading legal literacy through camps, print media, digital media or organising Lok Adalats for the peaceful settlement of disputes which are either pending or are yet to be filed, by compromise.
Nature of Free Legal Services-
Free Legal Aid is the provision of free legal services in civil and criminal matters for such poor or marginalised people who are unable to afford the services of a lawyer. These services are provided under the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and are headed by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). Free Legal Aid may include-
Representation in the legal proceedings,
Payment of process fees, expenses for the witnesses as well as any other charges payable or incurred in connection with legal proceedings in appropriate cases.
Preparation for pleadings, appeal, printing and translation of documents during the proceedings,
Drafting legal documents or applying for a special leave petition.
Supplying certified copies of judgements, orders, notes of evidence and other related documents during the legal proceedings.
Free Legal Services include the provisions of aid and advice to the beneficiaries, as provided by the schemes by the Central Government or State Government in order to ensure justice in any manner.
As provided under Section 2(c) of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, “legal services” include any service in relation to the case filed or any other legal proceeding before any court or other authority or tribunal, it also includes giving advice on any legal matter.
Courts where Free Legal Aid is provided-
Free legal aid is provided to any person in need of it from the lowest court to the Supreme Court of India. A legal Aid Counsel would represent such a person before the lower Courts, High COurts and Supreme Court as well.
Kind of cases for which legal aid could be applied for-
As provided under Section 13(1) of the Act, an individual who falls under the category provided under Section 12 of the Act is entitled to free legal aid, if the concerned Legal Services Authority is satisfied that such person genuinely has a case to prosecute or be defended against.
No bar has been applied as to which kind of cases could be applied for. Thus, all kinds of cases are included as long as the individual applying for free legal aid satisfies the eligibility criteria under Section 12 of the Act.
Can a lawyer be chosen for free legal services/aid ?
It is possible to avail the services of a lawyer of your choice under free legal services. As per the regulation 7(6) of the National Legal Services Authority (Free and Competent Legal Services) Regulations 2010, the application for legal services would be scrutinised by the Member-Secretary or the Secretary and in case the choice of a lawyer is mentioned by the applicant, the Member-Secretary or Secretary can consider such demand.
If free legal consultation could be provided as per the Free legal Services ?
Yes, free legal advice is also included under the ambit of Free Legal Aid.
Lead India also offers you the option of free legal advice both through online as well as offline mediums from the best criminal as well as civil advocates such as the divorce lawyer in gurgaon or divorce lawyer in Mumbai. Hence, in case you wish to apply for court marriage in delhi or if you wish to talk to a lawyer, you may contact us.
What if you wish to change your lawyer ?
As provided under Order 3 of the Civil Procedure Code, an aggrieved person has the right to choose his/her pleader. Hence, changing the plea with the leave of court is possible. The new pleader would have to submit a duly signed Vakalatnama to the Court in order to change his lawyer.
Conclusion-
As could be inferred from the above discussion, free legal aid has been availed by the Government for people who cannot afford proper legal services on their own. In case such a lawyer appointed by the authorities to represent your case is not doing his/her job properly, then in such case, you can file an official complaint against him or change your lawyer. For this purpose, you are advised to contact experienced advocates as well.
SOURCE:-
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