PROBONO
We acknowledge the faith and appreciation our clients have bestow upon us. We actively engages and works for the development, upliftment and progression of the society by providing legal support to the downtrodden, under privileged and to certain class of people. We actively follow the needs of our society and our legal team work pro bono to promote the rule of law by strengthening civil society and building capacity to support access to justice to all section of society. Currently, we are working on a variety of projects and cases.
We provide pro bono support to :-
- Minors who are victims of any crime
- Acid attack victims
- Rape, trafficking and Sexual assault victims
- Retired armed force personals
- Household maids
- Transgenders
- Senior Citizens
- Differently abled persons
We also provide support to under privileged and economically weak sections of the society. The legal support is based on case-to-case basis and solely at the discretion of the legal team. Any public spirited person can contact and recommend our pro bono service just by contacting us directly.
Free Legal Aid in Delhi: Know Your Rights
Access to justice should not depend on whether a person can afford a lawyer. Under Article 39A of the Constitution of India and the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the State is required to provide free legal services to those who cannot afford them. AM Legal supports this principle through its pro bono work, and this page explains how free legal aid works in India so that you can claim what the law already gives you.
Who is entitled to free legal services
Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act lists the groups entitled to free legal services. These include members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, victims of human trafficking, women and children, persons with disabilities, victims of mass disasters, ethnic violence, caste atrocities, floods, drought, earthquake or industrial disaster, industrial workmen, persons in custody, and persons whose annual income is below the limit fixed by the State government. Anyone in this position can approach the legal services authorities without paying fees.
Where to apply
Free legal aid is provided through the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the Delhi State Legal Services Authority and the District Legal Services Authorities, which have offices in each district court complex in Delhi. High Court and Supreme Court legal services committees help with matters in those courts. A person in police custody is also entitled to meet a lawyer, and a magistrate must inform an accused who has no lawyer that legal aid is available.
What free legal aid covers
Legal aid usually includes payment of court fees and other charges, the services of a panel lawyer, preparation of pleadings and paper books, and the supply of certified copies of orders. It is available for cases in courts, tribunals and before authorities, and for pre-litigation advice and mediation. Lok Adalats and permanent mediation centres offer a free and faster way to settle many civil, family and compoundable criminal disputes.
How AM Legal can help
If you believe you qualify for free legal assistance, contact us on 9868084425 and briefly describe your situation. We will tell you whether we can take up the matter on a pro bono basis, guide you to the right legal services authority, or help you prepare an application for legal aid. Please note that pro bono work is accepted at the firm's discretion depending on the nature of the matter and its capacity at the time.
Frequently asked questions
Is free legal aid only for criminal cases? No. It covers civil, family, labour, consumer and criminal matters for eligible persons.
Will a panel lawyer be less capable? Panel lawyers are enrolled advocates appointed by the legal services authority, and they are expected to represent you with the same duty of care as any other advocate.
Do I have to pay anything? If you are eligible, the authority bears the costs of representation and the court fee.
Lok Adalats and settlement
Lok Adalats are held regularly at the district courts, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. Settlements reached there have the status of a decree, are final and cannot be appealed, and no court fee is payable on the matter. They are especially useful for motor accident claims, cheque bounce cases, matrimonial disputes that can be compounded, bank recovery and many pending civil suits. Pre-litigation Lok Adalats also let parties settle before a case is filed.
Helplines and where to seek help quickly
The National Legal Services Authority runs a toll-free legal aid helpline, and each District Legal Services Authority has an office in the court complex where you can apply in person with proof of identity and a short statement of your problem. Women facing violence can also approach the Protection Officer or the police, and children and senior citizens have dedicated protections under the Juvenile Justice Act and the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
A note on how we handle pro bono requests
We review each request on its facts, and we give priority to matters where a person's liberty, safety, home or livelihood is at stake and who has no other way to obtain a lawyer. Please be as clear as you can about your situation when you contact us.