Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 is an Act of the Parliament of India that provides for the establishment of a nationwide network of legal aid organizations to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society. The Act also provides for the establishment of Lok Adalats, which are alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that aim to settle disputes amicably.

Key provisions of the Act:

  • The Act establishes a three-tier structure of legal aid organizations:
    • The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) at the national level
    • State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) at the state level
    • District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) at the district level
  • The Act provides for the appointment of legal aid lawyers to provide free legal services to the eligible persons
  • The Act also provides for the establishment of Lok Adalats to settle disputes amicably

MCQs:

  1. Which of the following is not a function of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)?
    • To provide free legal aid to the weaker sections of the society
    • To organize Lok Adalats
    • To monitor and evaluate the implementation of legal aid programmes
    • To lay down policies and principles for making legal services available
    • To appoint legal aid lawyers
    • The correct answer is to appoint legal aid lawyers. This is a function of the State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs).
  2. Who can approach a Lok Adalat for settlement of a dispute?
    • Only the parties to the dispute
    • Any person who is interested in the settlement of the dispute
    • Any person who is affected by the dispute
    • Any person who is likely to be affected by the dispute
    • All of the above
    • The correct answer is all of the above. Any person who is interested in the settlement of a dispute, or who is affected by the dispute, or who is likely to be affected by the dispute, can approach a Lok Adalat for settlement.
  3. What is the maximum amount that can be awarded by a Lok Adalat?
    • ₹50,000
    • ₹100,000
    • ₹200,000
    • ₹300,000
    • ₹500,000
    • The correct answer is ₹50,000. The maximum amount that can be awarded by a Lok Adalat is ₹50,000.

Answers:

  1. The correct answer is to appoint legal aid lawyers. This is a function of the State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs).
  2. The correct answer is all of the above. Any person who is interested in the settlement of a dispute, or who is affected by the dispute, or who is likely to be affected by the dispute, can approach a Lok Adalat for settlement.
  3. The correct answer is ₹50,000. The maximum amount that can be awarded by a Lok Adalat is ₹50,000.