News Excerpt:

Ministry of Law And Justice has released the statistics regarding Pro Bono Legal Services programme.

About the news:

1. Pro Bono Legal Services Programme:

• It was launched  in 2017. Under it as on 30th November, 2023 -
• 10629 advocates have directly registered across 24 State Bar Councils.
• 89 Law schools have joined the Pro Bono Club Scheme.
• 22 High Courts have constituted Pro Bono Panels in which 1354 advocates have enrolled.
• The scheme is being offered under the umbrella scheme “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice” (DISHA) Scheme launched for 2021-2026 by Ministry of Law and Justice.
• The Nyaya Bandhu programme is aimed at -
• Enhancing "access to justice" for marginalised sections of the society.
• State's constitutional obligation of providing "free legal aid" for all.
• Definition of "Applicant": An applicant includes any individual who is marginalised or disadvantaged as per the definition laid out under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authority, Act 1987. It includes -
• Member of a Scheduled Caste
• Member of a Scheduled Tribe
• Victim of trafficking in human beings or begar as referred in article 23 of the Constitution
• Woman or a Child
• Person with disability
• Person in custody
• An industrial workman
• Victim of a mass disaster, ethnic violence, caste atrocity, flood, drought, earthquake or industrial disaster
• Person with annual income less than as specified under law
• Other (such as senior citizens)
• Definition of "Advocate": Any lawyer with a valid practicing license registered with any State Bar Council is eligible to volunteer his/her legal services.
• The Nyaya Bandhu app aims to improve access to justice by enabling marginalized individuals, known as "Applicants," to connect with volunteered "Advocates" through a mobile application.

2. Pro Bono Club Scheme:

• It has been conceptualized to strengthen the existing pro bono programme, by integrating law schools and students within its fold.
• Selected law students (known as ‘Pro Bono Associates’ or PBA) are part of Pro Bono clubs attached to law schools and helmed by a dedicated faculty in-charge.
• Key objectives of Pro Bono Club:
• To improve efficiency and quality of pro bono legal services by providing assistance to pro bono advocates through law students.
• To instill in young legal minds their responsibility to community by understanding and practicing pro bono legal services for the unassisted and disadvantaged persons in the societies.
• Activities of Pro Bono Clubs:
• Pro Bono Litigation Assistance
• Community Care Legal Assistance (CCLA)
• Research, Documentation & Reporting
• Promote Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism
• Recognition and Awards for PBAs and Alumni Nyaya Bandhu Advocates

3. Pro Bono Panels:

• In order to strengthen the Nyaya Bandhu network, Department of Justice has set up and integrated pro bono panels of lawyers in each High Court (curated and moderated by the respective High Courts), within its Nyaya Bandhu programme.
• It envisages integrating the Nyaya Bandhu programme within the institutional framework of the justice system in India.

• Nyaya Bandhu Panel Framework at High Court:

• The implementation and moderation framework for this initiative is web based, with each High Court provided with a unique login to register the names of the Nyaya Bandhu panel members.
• This database is, simultaneously, embedded within the Nyaya Bandhu portal – thereby expanding its reach.

Conclusion:

The Pro Bono Legal Services Programme (Nyaya Bandhu) has played a crucial role in providing access to justice for marginalised communities. As part of this ‘pro bono’ movement, lawyers recognise their duty to further societal interests and work selflessly to help those in need. In addition to the social impact, a thriving pro bono practice can also generate positive publicity for a lawyer's practice.

Prelims PYQ

Q. In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens? (UPSC 2020)

1. Person with an annual income of less than 1,00,000
2. Transgender with an annual income of less than 2,00,000
3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than 3,00,000
4. All Senior Citizens

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1 and 4 only