Legal Aid means giving free legal services to the poor and weaker section of society who
cannot afford to take the service of advocate to conduct a case or any legal proceeding in
the court of law, any judicial authority or before any judicial tribunal.
Free legal advice and aid is given to people of all categories whose annual income is below
INR 25,000 and to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Women, Children, people of weaker
Sections, people with unsound mind, victims of communal violence, religious atrocities,
floods, famine, earthquake or industrial
Free legal aid is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed to all the citizens of the country.
Article 21 of the Constitution of India states, “No person shall be deprived of his life or
personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.
Claiming Free Legal Aid / Application Procedure
Where should I approach in order to seek free legal services/aid?
Depending upon the territorial and subject matter jurisdiction of the case, an individual
should approach the following appropriate authority:
Taluk Legal Services Committee which is in the premises of the Court in that Taluk; or
District Legal Services Authority which is in the premises of the District Court in the District
Headquarters; or
The concerned State Legal Services Authority (for particular cases, panels of which are
maintained at State level);
The High Court Legal Services Committee which is in the premises of the concerned High
Court; or
The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee for cases before the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
