Hundreds of notices and warrants issued by various courts, right from the Jharkhand High Court to district courts across the State will now onwards be appended with a three-page brochure regarding free legal aid available to them and also explore the options of settling their disputes through mediation once and for all.
Acting Chief Justice DN Patel has issued a circular in this regard, directing all principal district and sessions judges to act on it with immediate effect.
He has stated that women, children, persons belonging to the SC/ST community, prisoners, differently-abled persons, industrial workmen, victims of trafficking, persons with income less than Rs1 lakh per annum are entitled to free legal services under Section 12 of the legal services authorities.
Similarly, persons with income up to Rs5 lakh per annum are entitled to legal services at the Jharkhand High Court level under the Jharkhand High Court Middle-Income Group legal Aid Scheme.
Also, all persons, irrespective of their income, are entitled to paid legal service in all courts, under the Paid legal Service Schemes for Persons of Specified Categories 2017.
The Jharkhand State legal Services Authority (JHAlSA) has issued pamphlets regarding the provisions of legal services available to various categories of beneficiaries.
Justice Patel said that despite the awareness drive carried on by various district legal services authorities (DlSAs) from time to time, a large number of persons, particularly underprivileged ones are still not aware of the legal aid services available to them under National legal Services Authority (NAlSA) schemes.
“So, the novel scheme would be helpful for the poor people and also the ones unacquainted with various procedures of law. Instead of running from pillar to post for help, the poor and underprivileged persons seeking justice can avail of legal services from the very beginning,” he added.
He said that the people also need to be informed about the benefits of mediations in order to end their cases once and for all, that too without spending any penny. “I am sure they will opt for mediation if they are informed and convinced about the benefits of mediation, a fast emerging alternative dispute mechanism,” he added.
The acting Chief Justice said that judges in district courts have also been directed to refer at least seven cases in a month for mediation. “In order to make them know the nuances for referring a case for mediation, JHAlSA is going to hold a day’s training programme for the district court judges soon,” he added.