It is National Legal Services Day
(NLSD) tomorrow. Celebrated on 9th November every year across India, it
commemorates the enactment of the Indian Legal Services Authorities Act 1987.
The main aim of this observance is to spreading legal awareness among people.
It also aims as a means to provide free legal aid and advice to the poor and
weaker sections of the society, so as to ensure justice for all. Ahead of this
observance, let us understand a bit more of its history and significance.
History and Significance of National Legal Services Day
The National Legal Services Day
began in India in the year 1995. It was started by the Supreme Court of India.
As mentioned earlier, it commemorates The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987
of the Indian Parliament which came into effect on 9th November 1995. So November 9 every year is marked as National
Legal Services Day.
The National Legal Services
Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act,
1987 to provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society. They
were to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes. The Chief
Justice of India serves as the Patron-in-Chief NALSA. The second senior most
Judge of Supreme Court of India, serves as the Executive Chairman of the
Authority. Legal Service Day is celebrated to make people aware of the various
provisions under the Legal Services Authorities Act and the right of the
litigants.
A lot of people do not want to get embroiled in the legalities and often look at the procedures as a mess to deal with. But justice is an important quality that needs to be procured in a society. Thus, legal services and the facility to use them are of great importance. The law in Indian constitution treats everyone with a fair eye and promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity. An observance of this day also promotes the idea of seeking legal help and spreading awareness about legal systems.