Article 39A of the Constitution of India provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society and ensures justice for all. Articles 14 and 22(1) of the Constitution also make it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before law and a legal system which promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity to all. In the year. Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted to constitute legal services authorities for providing free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society to ensure that opportunities for securing justice were not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities and to organize Lok Adalats to ensure that the operation of the legal system promoted justice on a basis of equal opportunity. The interpretation of this Act in the light of its object reveals that it is a very good legislation for the amicable and speedy disposal of disputes. The Act extends to the whole of India. For the proper implementation of the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 various authorities have been created at national, state, district and taluka level. These authorities have also been established at the level of Supreme Court and High Court. In this article we shall discuss provisions related to State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987

State Legal Services Authority (SLSA):

The State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) is a statutory body established under Section 6 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. It operates at the state level to implement legal aid programs and promote access to justice. SLSA functions under the guidance of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and plays a key role in delivering free legal aid to eligible individuals within the state.

Constitution of SLSA:

The Chief Justice of the High Court of the state acts as the Patron-in-Chief of the SLSA. A serving or retired judge of the High Court is appointed as the Executive Chairman by the government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court. The SLSA has a member-secretary, usually a senior judicial officer or law officer, who oversees the day-to-day functioning of the authority. SLSA also includes other members who help implement various legal aid programs and ensure the functioning of the authority.

Objectives of SLSA:

• Ensure access to justice for marginalized and underprivileged sections of society.
• Promote legal literacy and awareness at the state level.
• Provide free legal services to eligible persons as per the provisions of the Act.
• Facilitate the organization of Lok Adalats for resolving disputes outside the formal court system.
• Work towards reducing the backlog of cases by promoting alternate dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms.

Functions of SLSA:

Section 7 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 gives functions of the State Legal Services Authority.

• Implement legal aid schemes: SLSA implements policies, programs, and schemes formulated by NALSA to provide legal aid within the state.
• Supervise legal services institutions: It supervises the activities of the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) and Taluk Legal Services Committees in the state.
• Legal representation: It provides legal representation to eligible individuals in civil and criminal cases.
• Legal literacy and awareness: SLSA conducts programs to educate the public about their legal rights and duties, especially in rural and remote areas.
• Organize Lok Adalats: SLSA organizes Lok Adalats at the state level for the amicable settlement of disputes, which helps in easing the burden on the courts.
• Coordination with NALSA: SLSA coordinates with NALSA to implement national legal aid schemes effectively in the state.
• Legal Aid Clinics: Legal aid clinics are set up in villages, slums, and other underprivileged areas to provide legal assistance to those who cannot access the formal legal system easily.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: SLSA monitors the activities of DLSA and other local legal services institutions to ensure the effective implementation of legal aid programs. It evaluates the functioning of Lok Adalats, legal aid clinics, and paralegal volunteers in the state.

Section 8 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 lays down that in the discharge of its functions the State Authority shall appropriately act in coordination with other governmental agencies, non-governmental voluntary social service institutions, universities and other bodies engaged in the work of promoting the cause of legal services to the poor and shall also be guided by such directions as the Central Authority may give to it in writing.

Importance of SLSA:

The SLSA is instrumental in bringing the judicial system closer to the people by providing free legal services to those in need. By organizing Lok Adalats and promoting legal awareness, SLSA helps to reduce the pendency of cases in courts and ensures that the right to justice is upheld for all, especially the poor and marginalized.

SLSA plays a vital role in the decentralized delivery of legal aid, functioning at the state level to ensure that the objectives of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, are met in every region of India.

High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC):

The High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC) is a statutory body constituted under Section 8A of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free legal services to eligible individuals in matters before the High Court. Operating under the supervision of the respective State Legal Services Authority (SLSA), the HCLSC aims to ensure that access to justice is available to all, regardless of financial or social barriers, particularly in legal proceedings before the High Court.

Constitution of HCLSC:

A sitting judge of the High Court, nominated by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court, serves as the Chairman of the HCLSC. The day-to-day affairs of the committee are managed by a Secretary, who is generally a senior judicial officer or an advocate appointed by the High Court. The committee includes members, such as advocates and social workers, who assist in the effective implementation of legal aid programs.

Objectives of HCLSC:

• Provide free legal services and representation to eligible persons in cases pending before the High Court.
• Facilitate the settlement of disputes through Lok Adalats organized at the High Court level.
• Ensure that no individual is denied the right to justice due to lack of financial means.
• Promote legal literacy and awareness about legal aid schemes.

Functions of HCLSC:

• Legal Representation: The HCLSC provides legal representation to individuals who cannot afford a lawyer. Panel lawyers are appointed to represent such individuals in cases before the High Court.
• Legal Advice: The committee offers free legal consultation to those seeking advice on legal matters, particularly for cases to be filed or appealed before the High Court.
• Lok Adalats: The HCLSC organizes Lok Adalats at the High Court level for the settlement of cases through compromise and mediation, helping to reduce the burden on the court.
• Legal Aid Clinics: HCLSC operates legal aid clinics to provide easy access to legal services for the public, especially in areas where legal services are not readily available.
• Spreading Legal Awareness: The committee conducts legal literacy programs to inform people of their rights and the availability of legal aid services.

Importance of HCLSC:

The High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC) ensures that even at the level of High Court litigation, justice is not denied to the economically weaker and marginalized sections of society. By offering free legal services, organizing Lok Adalats, and spreading legal literacy, the HCLSC plays a crucial role in reducing the burden on the courts while ensuring that the fundamental right to access justice is protected for all individuals, irrespective of their financial situation.

The HCLSC acts as a vital intermediary between the legal system and underprivileged litigants, ensuring that justice is delivered equitably. By providing legal aid, facilitating dispute resolution, and enhancing legal awareness, it fulfills the constitutional mandate of equal access to justice, especially in complex and higher-level judicial matters before the High Court.

Conclusion:

The State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) is a crucial entity established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, responsible for ensuring that free legal aid and justice are accessible to economically and socially weaker sections at the state level. The SLSA acts as the implementing arm of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), coordinating legal aid activities across various districts, taluks, and sub-divisions within the state.

By overseeing the functioning of the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs), Taluk Legal Services Committees (TLSCs), and other related bodies, the SLSA ensures the effective delivery of free legal services, the organization of Lok Adalats, and the promotion of legal literacy programs. It bridges the gap between marginalized communities and the legal system by providing legal assistance, facilitating dispute resolution, and raising awareness about legal rights. Through its comprehensive legal aid programs and activities, the SLSA plays a key role in fulfilling the constitutional mandate of Article 39A, which guarantees equal justice and free legal aid for all, ensuring that justice is not denied due to economic or social disadvantages.