National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and became operational in 1995. It sits at the apex of India's legal services delivery system, with the Chief Justice of India as its Patron-in-Chief. ## Structure and reach NALSA operates through a three-tier system: - **NALSA** at the national level - **State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs)** in each state, headed by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court - **District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs)** at the district level, chaired by the District and Sessions Judge This network is responsible for organising the Lok Adalats through which a substantial proportion of India's dispute resolution happens — millions of cases are settled at Lok Adalats organised by this system annually. ## Lok Adalat organisation NALSA coordinates both periodic and permanent Lok Adalats: **Periodic Lok Adalats** are scheduled sessions at which pending court matters and pre-litigation disputes are referred for settlement. NALSA organises national Lok Adalat days on which simultaneous sessions are held across every district in the country. **Permanent Lok Adalats** for public utility services are standing institutions under Chapter VI-A of the Act, with the power to impose awards if settlement is not reached — unlike regular Lok Adalat, where no award is passed if parties cannot agree. ## Free legal services NALSA's second major function — separate from Lok Adalats — is the provision of free legal services to eligible persons: those below the poverty line, women, children, persons with disabilities, victims of trafficking, and others specified in Section 12 of the Act. This includes legal advice, representation in court, and assistance with ADR processes. ## Significance for ADR NALSA's Lok Adalat network is the most-used alternative dispute resolution system in India by volume. Motor accident claims settled through NALSA's Lok Adalats alone number in the millions. For individuals with disputes eligible for Lok Adalat — particularly lower-value motor accident, matrimonial property, and bank recovery matters — NALSA's network is the most accessible entry point.