MAKING JUSTICE ACCESSIBLE: HOW LAW CLINICS CAN STRENGTHEN FREE LEGAL AID IN INDIA
*Supriya Singh
Assistant Professor, Karnavati University, supriyas@karnavatiuniversity.edu.in
ABSTRACT
Ensuring equal access to justice, particularly for India’s marginalized populations, remains a critical challenge despite constitutional and statutory mandates for free legal aid. This paper takes a close look at the system India has in place to provide free legal help, which is required by the constitution and laws to ensure everyone, especially those who are disadvantaged, can get justice. Even though India has strong legal foundations for this, with constitutional rules and the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, there are still big problems in making sure it works well for everyone. This paper investigates the persistent gap between the robust legal framework—including the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987—and its effective implementation. Identifying key obstacles such as insufficient awareness and resources, this research proposes a strategic role for clinical legal education, specifically through law school-based legal aid clinics, in bridging these disparities. By critically analyzing the current landscape and offering actionable recommendations, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on strengthening the delivery of free legal aid and fostering a more equitable justice system for India’s vulnerable communities.
Keywords: Free Legal Aid, Access to Justice, India, Clinical Legal Education, Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, Law School Legal Aid Clinics.
Citation of this paper:
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