Topic: Important aspects of governance, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
3) Discuss the importance of legal aid in India. Do you agree that citizens often upon the law as an enemy, not as a friend in India? Discuss the issues and challenges associated specifically with free legal aid services in India.(250 words)
Why this question:
Recently the National Law University, Delhi (NLUD) in a report titled ‘Quality of Legal Representation: An Empirical Analysis of Free Legal Aid Services in India’ has revealed that people don’t have faith over the services of legal aid counsel (LAC) under the free legal aid services.
Key demand of the question:
A majority of the people who are entitled to the free legal aid system see the service as an option only when they cannot afford a private lawyer. Thus, it is important for us to analyse the underlying issues and challenges facing the same.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly discuss the concept of free legal aid.
Body:
- First bring out the importance of free legal aid – Legal aid to the poor is necessary for the preservation of rule of law which is necessary for the existence of the orderly society. It implies giving free legal services to the poor and needy who cannot afford the services of a lawyer for the conduct of a case or a legal proceeding in any court, tribunal or before an authority. Until and unless poor illiterate man is not legally assisted, he is denied equally in the opportunity to seek justice.
- Then move on to discuss the issues and challenges – lack of awareness of the availability of legal aid, perception that free service is incompatible with quality service etc.
- Quote facts and findings of the report, take hints from the article.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting solutions and way forward.
