Power of Government to provide for free legal services to indigent persons
Full Text
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Order, the Central or State Government may make such supplementary provisions as it thinks fit for providing free legal services to those who have been permitted to sue as indigent persons.
(2) The High Court may, with the previous approval of the State Government, make rules for carrying out the supplementary provisions made by the Central or State Government for providing free legal services to indigent persons referred to in sub-rule (1), and such rules may include the nature and extent of such legal services, the conditions under which they may be made available, the matters in respect of which, and the agencies through which, such services may be rendered.
Plain English Summary
Enabling statutory framework authorizing Central/State Governments and High Courts to establish supplementary schemes and institutional agencies (such as Legal Services Authorities) providing free legal representation, drafting, and trial assistance to indigent litigants.
Key Legal Elements
- Institutional Legal Aid: Legislative anchor for civil legal aid schemes under Article 39A.
- High Court Rule-Making: High Courts frame detailed regulations specifying agency delivery models.
- Comprehensive Services: Covers court-appointed advocates, stenographic expenses, and witness diet money.
Practical Note
Requisitioning State Legal Services: An indigent litigant admitted under Order XXXIII can submit a formal requisition to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) under Rule 18 rules. The DLSA provides not only a defense counsel, but also bears certified copy charges, process fees, and witness batta expenses.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) इस आदेश के उपबंधों के अधीन रहते हुए, केंद्रीय या राज्य सरकार उन व्यक्तियों को निःशुल्क विधिक सेवाएं (Free legal services) प्रदान करने के लिए, जिन्हें निर्धन व्यक्तियों के रूप में वाद लाने की अनुज्ञा दी गई है, ऐसे अनुपूरक उपबंध कर सकेगी जैसे वह ठीक समझे।
(2) उच्च न्यायालय, राज्य सरकार के पूर्व अनुमोदन से, उप-नियम (1) में निर्दिष्ट निर्धन व्यक्तियों को निःशुल्क विधिक सेवाएं प्रदान करने के लिए केंद्रीय या राज्य सरकार द्वारा किए गए अनुपूरक उपबंधों को क्रियान्वित करने हेतु नियम बना सकेगा, और ऐसे नियमों में ऐसी विधिक सेवाओं की प्रकृति और विस्तार, वे शर्तें जिनके अधीन वे उपलब्ध कराई जा सकेंगी, वे विषय जिनके संबंध में तथा वे एजेंसियां जिनके माध्यम से ऐसी सेवाएं दी जा सकेंगी, सम्मिलित हो सकेंगे।