National Legal Services Day
The National Legal Services Day is celebrated on November 9. The day is marked to commemorate the enactment of Legal Services Authorities Act. The Act was enacted in 1987. It took effect on November 9, 1995. Thus, the National Legal Services Day is celebrated on November 9.
About National Legal Services Day
The National Legal Services Day is celebrated to create awareness about different provisions in the Legal Services Authorities Act. The day also aims to impart knowledge about the right of the litigants. The day is organized by the legal services authorities in the states. They organize legal aid campaigns, Lok Adalats and legal aid programmes.
About Legal Services Authorities Act
The main purpose of the act is to provide free legal aid to the people belonging to marginalized communities. The act allows setting up of Lok Adalats to settle disputes. The act provides free legal aid to the following people:
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe
- Woman, Child, mentally challenged and physically disabled persons
- Beggars
- Victim of human trafficking
- Industrial workmen
- People with an annual income less than Rs 9,000
- Victim of ethnic violence or mass disaster
- People in the custody of juvenile homes or in psychiatric nursing homes
The National Legal Services Authority bears the cost of defending the cases or filing the case. Also, the legal counselling is provided at the expense of the state.
