Tele-Law service is being made free of cost for citizens from 2022
The Department of Justice and the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Integrated Delivery of Legal Services.
- As per this agreement, NALSA will provide services of 700 lawyers in each district for tele-law program only.
- These empaneled lawyers will also act as referral lawyers. These will help in avoiding disputes at the pre-litigation stage. Along with this, they will also strengthen the dispute resolution mechanism.
- The Tele-law initiative was launched in the year 2017 by the Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice. This initiative provides a reliable and efficient e-interface. It also suggests dispute resolution measures before litigation.
- The Tele-Law Initiative gives greater importance to legal aid to marginalized people seeking legal aid. It uses Tele/video conferencing infrastructure available at Common Service Centers (CSCs) in 1 lakh gram panchayats. With the help of these, it gives legal advice by facilitating contact with the lawyers of the panel.
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
- It has been constituted under the Legal Services Authority Act, It has been constituted to provide free legal services to the weaker sections of the society.
- It also organizes Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes.
- The Chief Justice of India is its chief patron. NALSA is located in the Supreme Court of India.
- Under the Act, State and District Legal Services Authorities have also been constituted.
Source – The Hindu
