State Legal Service Authority

State Legal Service Authority

Topic: Polity

Section: Judiciary

Context- The Supreme Court expressed concern over fake claims for getting ex-gratia compensation of ₹50,000, meant for the family members of those who lost lives due to Covid, saying it had never visualised that this could be misused.

Concept-

• The top court had earlier directed all States governments and Union Territories to appoint a dedicated nodal officer to coordinate with the member secretary of the State Legal Service Authority (SLSA) to facilitate payment of ex-gratia compensation to the family members of Covid victims.

State Legal Services Authority:

• It is headed by the Chief Justice of the State High Court who is its Patron-in-Chief.
• A serving or retired Judge of the High Court is nominated as its Executive Chairman.

Legal Services Institutions for providing Free Legal Aid:

• National Level : National Legal Services Authority
• State Level : State Legal Services Authority.
• District Level : District Legal Services Authority. The District Judge of the District is its ex-officio Chairman.
• Taluka/ Sub-Division Level : Taluka/ Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committee headed by a senior Civil Judge.
• Supreme Court: Supreme Court Legal Services Committee
• High Court : High Court Legal Services Committee

National Legal Services Authority:

• The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 in 1995 for providing free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society.
• The Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief and the second senior most Judge of Supreme Court of India is the Executive Chairman of the Authority.
• Article 39 A of the Constitution provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society, to promote justice on the basis of equal opportunity.
• Article 14 and Article 22 (1) ensures equality before law.