Supreme Court judge Justice BR Gavai has been nominated as the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC), replacing Justice Sanjiv Khanna – the seniormost judge of the top court after the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
- The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee was constituted under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to provide “free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of society”, in cases falling under the top court’s jurisdiction.
- Section 3A of the Act states that the Central Authority (the National Legal Services Authority or NALSA) shall constitute the committee.
- The committee consists of a sitting SC judge, who is the chairman, along with other members possessing the experience and qualifications prescribed by the Centre.
- Both the chairman and other members will be nominated by the CJI. Further, the CJI can appoint the Secretary to the Committee.
- In 1987, the Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted to give a statutory base to legal aid programmes. The act established NALSA.
- The acts provide for setting up of; State Legal Services Authority, High Court Legal Services Committee, District Legal Services Authorities, Taluk Legal Services Committees, Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.
- Free legal services includes: Payment of court fee, process fees; Providing service of lawyers; Obtaining and supply of certified copies of orders; Preparation of appeal, paper book including printing and translation of documents.
- It aims to provide free and competent legal services to eligible groups: Women and children; Members of SC/ST; Industrial workmen; Victims of mass disaster, violence, flood, drought, earthquake, industrial disaster; Disabled persons; Persons in custody; Persons whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 1 lakh (in the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee the limit is Rs. 5,00,000/-); Victims of Trafficking in Human beings or beggar.
