Introduction and quick reference for the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, with a downloadable Bare Act PDF for use by Indian lawyers, law students, legal aid workers and researchers.
Overview #
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 is the central legislation that creates the institutional framework for free and competent legal services in India and for the organisation of Lok Adalats. It gives statutory form to the constitutional idea that access to justice should not depend on a person’s financial capacity or social position.
The Act provides for the National Legal Services Authority, State Legal Services Authorities, District Legal Services Authorities, High Court and Supreme Court Legal Services Committees, and Taluk Legal Services Committees. It also contains the core provisions on eligibility for legal aid, legal aid funds, Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats.
Object of the legislation #
The object of the Act is to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities. The Act aims to provide free and competent legal services to weaker sections of society and to promote settlement of disputes through Lok Adalats, so that the legal system operates on a basis of equal opportunity.
In practical terms, the Act supports access to courts, tribunals and legal remedies by enabling legal advice, representation and assistance in appropriate cases. It also reduces adversarial litigation by giving statutory recognition to settlement mechanisms such as Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats.
Scope and relevance #
The Act extends to India and applies across civil, criminal, revenue and quasi-judicial proceedings where legal services may be required. Its definition of legal service includes assistance in the conduct of a case or legal proceeding and advice on legal matters.
For litigants and legal aid institutions, the Act is important because it identifies who may receive free legal services, how legal services authorities are constituted, and how Lok Adalat awards are dealt with. For lawyers and law students, it is a key statute in the study of access to justice, alternative dispute resolution and court-connected settlement mechanisms.
Its relevance is not limited to traditional civil disputes. Legal aid may arise in criminal defence, service disputes, family matters, labour matters, consumer-related issues, tribunal proceedings and other matters where eligible persons need legal assistance.
Selected important provisions and themes #
- Section 1 deals with the short title, extent and commencement of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
- Section 2 contains important definitions, including “case”, “court”, “legal service”, “Lok Adalat”, “Central Authority”, “State Authority” and “District Authority”.
- Sections 3 and 3A provide for the National Legal Services Authority and the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.
- Sections 6 to 11B create the State, High Court, District and Taluk level legal services institutions and describe their functions and coordination.
- Sections 12 and 13 are central provisions on entitlement to legal services and the criteria for giving free legal aid.
- Sections 14 to 18 deal with grants, legal aid funds, accounts and audit for the legal services framework.
- Sections 19 to 22 regulate Lok Adalats, including organisation of Lok Adalats, taking cognizance of cases, awards and powers.
- Sections 22A to 22E deal with Permanent Lok Adalats and pre-litigation conciliation and settlement, including the finality of awards.
How to use this Bare Act #
- Use this Bare Act to identify the correct legal services authority or committee for a matter, such as NALSA, a State Authority, District Authority or Taluk Committee.
- Check Sections 12 and 13 first when assessing whether a person may be entitled to free legal services.
- Refer to Sections 19 to 22 when dealing with Lok Adalat references, settlement procedure and the legal effect of Lok Adalat awards.
- Refer to Sections 22A to 22E where the matter concerns Permanent Lok Adalat or pre-litigation conciliation and settlement.
- For procedural or litigation context, read this Act together with the relevant court procedure law or special statute governing the dispute.
Related Bare Acts and statutes #
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
- Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
- Advocates Act, 1961
- Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985
This page provides the Bare Act text for reference and study. Users should verify the latest official version, amendments, notifications, rules and regulations issued under the Act before relying on it for legal advice, litigation or institutional action.
