NALSA (Legal Aid Defense Counsel System) Scheme, 2022
Beneficiary:
The scheme provides free legal aid to any accused or convict in a criminal matter who qualifies under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. This includes members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, women, children, victims of trafficking or forced labor, persons with disabilities, industrial workmen, individuals in custody (such as protective homes or psychiatric institutions), victims of mass or industrial disasters, and those whose income falls below the state-prescribed threshold for non-Supreme Court cases.
Benefits:
Beneficiaries receive full-time, free legal representation at all stages of criminal proceedings, modeled on the Public Defender System. Services include representation in Sessions, Special, Magistrate, and Executive Courts, handling remand and bail matters, and providing pre-arrest legal assistance. Defense Counsels—Chief, Deputy, and Assistant—are appointed exclusively for legal aid and barred from private practice. All litigation expenses, including court and drafting fees, are covered by the scheme.
How To Apply
Applications can be submitted in person at the nearest Legal Aid Defense Counsel (LADC) Office under the DLSA, TLSC, or SLSA. Applicants may use a pre-printed form, write on plain paper with relevant details, or make an oral request assisted by a Paralegal Volunteer. Applications are also accepted online via the NALSA website or by email.