Q. Composition, Power, and functions of the National Legal Service Authority.

Ans >

INTRODUCTION:

It was felt since long to unburden the judiciary and expeditiously dispose off
the cases.

With this as a main background that the Legal Services Authorities Act was
passed in 1987.

The Act is a composite enactment covering Legal Aid and Lok Adalat, and
aims at providing free and competent legal services to weaker sections of
society.

The main objectives of the Act are:

Provide free and competent legal service to weaker sections of the

society.

Ensure security of justice to all despite their economic or other

disabilities.

COMPOSITION OF NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY

Chairman- Chief Justice of India is Patron-in-Chief

Executive Chairman- a serving or retired Judge of the Supreme Court to be

nominated by the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.

Other members – possessing such experience and qualifications, as may be

prescribed by the Central Government, in consultation with the Chief Justice
of India.

Central Authority shall consist of not more than 12 members.

The following shall be the ex-officio members of Central Authority.

Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law.
Secretary, Department of Expenditure in the Ministry of Finance.
 Two Chairman of the State Legal Services Authority as may be
nominated by Central Government in consultation with the chief Justice
of India

Term : the terms of office and other conditions related to the Members and
Member-Secretary of the Central Authority shall be such as may be prescribed
by the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.

POWERS OF NATIONAL AUTHORITY

(a) Receive Grants by the Central Government 

(b) Establish a fund to be called the National Legal Aid Fund

- for meeting cost of legal services provided under this Act including grants
made to State Authorities.

- for meeting cost of Legal services provided by the Supreme Court Legal
Services Committee.

- for any other expenses which are required to be met by the Central
Authority.

The accounts of the Authorities shall be audited by the Comptroller and

Auditor General of India at such intervals as may be specified

c) Power of Central Authority to make regulations.

necessary or expedient for the purposes of giving effect to the provisions of this Act

FUNCTION OF NATIONAL AUTHORITY

(a) Lay down policies and principles for making available.

(b) Frame the most effective and economic scheme for that purpose.

(c) Utilise the funds at its disposal and make appropriate allocation of funds to
State/District Authorities.

(d) Take necessary steps to promote and encourage social justice litigation.

(e) Organise legal aid camps especially in rural area, labour colonies etc.

(f) Encourage settlement of disputes by way of Negotiation, Arbitration and

Conciliation.
(g) Undertake and promote Research in field of legal services.

(h) Ensuring commitment to fundamental duties of citizens.

(i) Monitor and evaluate implementation of legal aid programmes.

(j) Develop in consultation with Bar Council of India programmes for Clinical
Legal Education.

(k) Monitor functioning of State/District Authorities.