Legal Services Authorities — Definition

Definition

Legal Services Authorities are statutory institutions that organise access to legal assistance and support specified methods of dispute resolution in India. The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 establishes a national, State, district and taluk institutional structure, alongside committees for the higher courts.

Eligibility for assistance includes several social or situational categories as well as an income route; the categories should not be collapsed into a universal means test. Assistance can involve advice, representation and related support.

Ordinary Lok Adalats facilitate settlements, while Permanent Lok Adalats have a distinct, limited statutory framework. Access to assistance does not guarantee a favourable judgment.