“Celebration of Legal Service Day”
OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTIVITY-
- To raise awareness about constitutional rights, legal aid entitlements, and the schemes of
Statutory legal services authorities.
- To provide free legal advice and assistance to persons unable to afford legal services.
- To involve law students in practical legal aid work and sensitize them to community needs.
- To facilitate dispute resolution through negotiation, mediation and referral to appropriate legal channels.
DESCRIPTION:- On National Legal Services Day, Subharti Law College organized a program to commemorate the objectives of the Legal Services Authorities Act and to provide free legal assistance and awareness among participants of the activity. The event was honoured with the presence of Hon’ble Prof. Manoj Kumar Sinha, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Dharamshala University. The event combined legal awareness session among participant and pro- bono assistance. The program started by welcome address of the guest and lightening of the lamp. The first speaker Prof. Manoj Kumar Sinha Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Dharamshala University told about the importance of the day and informed the audience that National Legal Services Day, observed every year on 9th November, holds significant importance in India’s justice delivery system. It commemorates the enforcement of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 which came into effect on this day in 1995. The day serves as a reminder of the constitutional promise under Article 39A, which ensures that the State shall provide free legal aid so that no individual is denied justice due to economic or other disabilities. The importance of National Legal Services Day lies in its mission to promote equal access to justice for all. A large proportion of India’s population remains unaware of their legal rights and welfare schemes designed for their protection. By observing this day, legal institutions work towards spreading legal awareness, especially among marginalized groups such as women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and economically weaker sections. After that Prof.Vaibhav Goel Bhartiya said that this day also highlights the role of institutions like NALSA, SLSA, DLSA, Taluk Legal Services Committees, and Legal Aid Clinics in providing free legal advice, representation, and dispute-resolution mechanisms. Activities such as Lok Adalats, legal literacy camps, mediation and counseling sessions are organized to resolve disputes efficiently and reduce the burden on traditional courts. Through these efforts, citizens gain confidence in the justice system and learn to seek legal remedies in a dignified and accessible manner. Beyond legal benefits, the day fosters a culture of social justice and inclusive, making the legal system more people- centric. It encourages lawyers, law students, and civil society organizations to participate in pro bono services and contribute to nation-building. Thus, National Legal Services Day is not merely a symbolic observance; it is a crucial step toward ensuring that justice is not a privilege for a few, but a fundamental right for all. After that Prof. Reena Bishnoi told about the theme of this year i . e. “Access to Justice for All– Bridging the Legal Awareness Gap” and said that subharti law college always aim to promote access to justice involved faculty and students and members of the District Legal Services Authority. She also told about the working of free legal clinic of Subharti Law College and inform the audience that Subharti Law College is working as a nodal office of the District Legal Service Authority and raising Legal awareness and access to justice. At the end vote of thanks was given to all the members and participants of the program.The National Legal Services Day event at Subharti Law College successfully met its core objectives of raising legal awareness and Exposure to students.
THE OUTCOME OF THE ACTIVITY:-
- Participants were become aware about legal aid entitlements and the schemes of statutory legal services authorities
- Become aware that how to provide free legal advice and assistance to persons unable to afford legal services.
- Become aware that how to involve law students in practical legal aid work and sensitize them to community needs.
- Become aware that how to facilitate dispute resolution through negotiation, mediation and referral to appropriate legal channels.
