FAQs

• Legal services are provided in matters pending before all courts/authorities/tribunals/commissions.
• For the poor and common people, all necessary litigation expenses including court fees and advocate’s fees are borne by the Authority.
• Legal literacy camps are organized to spread awareness about legal rights and services.
• In counseling and conciliation centers, efforts are continuously made by mediator teams to resolve family disputes through mutual settlement.
• Continuous efforts are made to ensure prompt compensation to victims in motor accident claim cases.
• In all other types of cases as well, speedy justice is provided through mutual settlement.

No, free legal aid is not confined to cases before the subordinate Courts. Legal Aid is provided to the needy from the lowest Court to the Supreme Court of India. Legal Aid Counsel represent such needy persons before the lower Courts, High Courts and also before the Supreme Court of India.

According to Section 13 (1) of the Act, any individual who satisfies any criteria under Section 12 is entitled to receive legal services, provided that the concerned Legal Services Authority is satisfied that such person has a genuine case to prosecute or defend the matter. There is hence no bar as to which kind of cases one can apply and not apply for. All kinds of cases are included as long as the individual satisfies the eligibility under Section 12 of the Act.

Yes, it is possible to avail the services of a lawyer of your choice under free legal services. According to regulation 7(6) of the National Legal Services Authority (Free and Competent Legal Services) Regulations 2010, the application for legal services will be scrutinized by the Member-Secretary or the Secretary and if the applicant has mentioned/expressed his/her choice of a lawyer on the panel, such Member-Secretary or Secretary can consider and allow the same.

Yes, it is possible to get any kind of legal service under free legal aid/services.

Yes, you can apply to get free legal aid at any stage of the case as long as you are eligible to attain free legal services as per Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Even if you had your personal lawyer before and require a lawyer under free legal aid only at the stage of appeal (and are eligible under Section 12), you can make an application to avail the same.

Yes, women and children are eligible to receive free legal aid.

Yes, all inmates in jail are eligible to receive free legal aid.

Panel/retainer advocates are available for all types of legal aid in court representation for eligible persons.

Free legal aid is available for Magistrate, Sessions Court, High Court, and Supreme Court.

• Lok Adalat is an alternative forum for resolving disputes through compromise.
• All types of civil cases and criminal cases (except those which are non-compoundable) can be settled through Lok Adalats.
• No appeal lies before any court against the decisions of Lok Adalat.
• The court fee paid in cases settled through compromise in Lok Adalat is refunded.
• In all districts of the state, one can apply to the Permanent Lok Adalats for resolving disputes.
• Disputes that have not yet been brought before any court can also be settled at the pre-litigation stage through an application, with mutual consent of the parties, without filing a case.