Legal Services Day – 9 November
National Legal Services Day is observed in India on 9th November since 1995, when Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 came into effect. Under the Indian Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 the National Legal Services Authority, NALSA was formed to offer assistance and support to the weaker and poor group of sections of people which may be women, disabled persons, Scheduled Tribes, children, Scheduled Castes, human trafficking victims as well as natural calamities victims.
The prime objective of the Legal Services Day of India is to make the masses aware, especially those living in more rural areas about the availability of free legal aid in many contexts of life, and how they can avail the same. It is a reassurance that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.
History of Legal Services Day
In 1995, National Legal Services Day was celebrated for the first time in India. The celebration day was started by the Supreme Court of India. This day is celebrated to commemorate the Indian Legal Authorities Act 1987 which came into effect on 9th November 1995. Under its provision, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted in India on 5th December 1995.
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted to provide free legal services to the weaker sections of society. Its other objectives include spreading legal awareness, providing compensation to victims of crime, and organizing Lok Adalats. It also focuses on promoting the settlement of disputes via the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. Some examples of ADR are Arbitration, Judicial settlement which includes Lok Adalat or Mediation, and conciliation.
According to the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987, women & children, persons with a disability, members of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, Industrial Workmen, persons in custody, victims of natural disasters, ethnic & caste violence, and industrial disaster, and human trafficking are eligible for free legal services. Also, according to income brackets, people with an annual income of less than 1,00,000 per annum or as per the notifications by the state or central government are eligible for these services.
Main objectives of the Legal Services Day
The point of praising Legal Services Day is to offer complimentary, capable, and legal services to the general people of weaker segments of society. It additionally arranges the Lok Adalats to make safe the community legal services operations and encourages the righteousness of people on an equality basis.
The day celebration is sorted out all over India to expand the consciousness of free lawful guide towards each frail native of the nation. It expects to ensure the availability of free services to the weaker segment individuals and also make them conscious about their rights.
The legitimate message has been send by the government authorities that every one of the general population who goes under underprivileged residents (who are not competent to manage the cost of the lawful administrations), must get free lawful administrations as their lawful right.
On this day, every state’s legal services authorities organize this day at the state, district, and taluk level institutions. The main aim is to improve Legal literacy by setting up legal literacy camps on this day. A large number of people participate in various events hailing from governmental organizations as well as non-governmental organizations, to commemorate the legal services day.
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