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.

National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) The National Legal Services Authority
(NALSA) has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, , 1987 to provide
free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society. The features of the NALSA are
NALSA was brought into existence to fulfil the provisions under the Article 39A of the
constitution which provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society,
to promote justice on the basis of equal opportunity.
NALSA organises Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes.
The functions of the NALSA also includes spreading legal literacy and awareness,
undertaking social justice litigations.
NALSA identifies specific categories of the marginalized and excluded groups from the
diverse populace of the country and formulates various schemes for regular exchange of
relevant information, monitoring and updating on the implementation and progress of the
various schemes. NALSA fosters a strategic and coordinated approach to ensure smooth and
streamlined functioning of the various agencies.

Functioning of NALSA NALSA lays down policies, principles, guidelines and frames
effective and economical schemes for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the
Legal Services Programmes throughout the country. Primarily, the State Legal Services
Authorities, District Legal Services Authorities, Taluk Legal Services Committees, etc. have
been asked to discharge the following main functions on regular basis: I.
To Provide Free and Competent Legal Services to the eligible persons;
II. To organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes and
III. To organize legal awareness camps in the rural areas.
FREE LEGAL SERVICES The Free Legal Services include:- a) Payment of court fee,
process fees and all other charges payable or incurred in connection with any legal
proceedings; b) Providing service of lawyers in legal proceedings.
Persons eligible for getting free legal services include:- i) Women and children; ii) Members
of SC/ST iii) Industrial workmen iv) Victims of mass disaster, violence, flood, drought,
earthquake, industrial disaster. v) Disabled persons. vi) Persons in custody