The Legal Aid & Justice Authority (LAJA) makes appropriate arrangements for the provision of legal aid, financial, and other assistance to applicants charged with criminal offences who are unable to afford legal representation or access to justice.
Preference is given to disadvantaged women and children, particularly in cases relating to sexual offences. LAJA also promotes public legal awareness through legal literacy campaigns, print and digital media, legal awareness camps, and by encouraging negotiations, arbitration, and conciliation for amicable settlement of disputes.
The Authority ensures quality training for legal professionals by providing ADR services and promoting stakeholder engagement within the justice system to improve access to justice.
The thematic areas of LAJA include:
Free legal aid refers to the provision of legal services in criminal matters for poor and marginalized individuals who cannot afford the services of a lawyer. These services are governed under the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Act, 2020.
A person seeking legal aid or financial assistance shall apply to the Authority through the prescribed application form, supported by an affidavit sworn by the applicant.
In cases involving minors, persons of unsound mind, or lunatics, the requirement of an application and affidavit does not apply. The Authority may conduct inquiries to assess the means of the applicant and decides the application within seven days of receipt.
Legal services are provided by a panel of advocates approved by the Authority in each district. Once an applicant is declared eligible, the case is assigned to one of the approved advocates.
LAJA also operates a Free Representation Unit comprising advocates and volunteers who provide legal and social services on a pro bono basis, either for individual cases or specific categories of cases.
The Authority pays professional fees, travelling allowances, and other out-of-pocket expenses to advocates, volunteers, and the Free Representation Unit as applicable.
LAJA conducts various legal awareness initiatives to educate the public about their rights and the functioning of legal aid institutions. These include seminars, lectures, pamphlet distribution, television programs, short documentaries, and cultural programs.
Competitions such as essay writing, debates, and declamation on legal issues are organized. Internship programs for law students and Legal Aid Clinics in law colleges are also established to promote access to justice.