Interview with Convenor of Legal Aid Centre, University of Lucknow

• Tell me about yourself/your organization in brief.

About Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow:

Established in 1921, Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow (http://www.lkouniv.ac.in/en/page/faculty-of-law) is a pioneer legal institution of India. The Faculty has introduced LL.B. (Hons.) Five Year Course in 1995. The Faculty is running a Centre of Excellence on Gandhian Dream of Litigation Free Village. Prof. C.P. Singh, is our Head & Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, Lucknow

About Legal Aid Clinic:

Lucknow University Legal Aid Clinic is inspired by the determination to promote ‘EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE’, seek to promote legal literacy, provide free legal service and create socially responsible citizens and to facilitate access to justice to the marginalized and deprived classes of the society.

Lucknow University Legal Aid Clinic (LULAC) is continuously progressive on the path of its determination and purpose of ‘EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL’ in collaboration with District Legal Service Authority (DLSA), Lucknow, other Social Institutions and NGOs based in Lucknow.

Under the Chairmanship of Dr Anurag Kumar Srivastava

(http://udrc.lkouniv.ac.in/department/ViewProfile?EId=169 )

How to avail Free Legal Services:

Services of the Legal Aid Cell are accessible through telephone/email (as provided below) on all days, from Monday to Sunday.

Contact:

In case of any specific queries, please write to us at vidhiksewalu@gmail.comor +91-7991200596 (04 PM to 06 PM)

LAC 2019-20 Short Report:  https://tinyurl.com/lacreport1920

LAC 2018-19 Report: https://tinyurl.com/lacworkreport

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lulegalaidclinic

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/legalaidcliniclu

GOOGLE MAPS:  https://g.page/legalaidcentre/review?gm

Write to us: Legal Aid Centre, Faculty of Law, LU New Campus, Sitapur Rd, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031

• What is the importance of study of Socio-Legal issues in legal field?

In my opinion, the jurisprudence of legal system should be in context of social institutions and systems to which law serves. The evolution of laws must depend upon the evolution of society through which the understanding of law can be developed in society.  

• Tell me about your initiatives in legal aid & awareness field as a law student.

The very purpose of joining the clinic has always been to serve the society in the hope of making it a better place. I understand my responsibilities towards fellow citizens. As a student I believe in motto “free and equal justice to all” and have constantly delivered to the idea. I worked extensively in Legal Aid Clinic, what motivated me was the mode of working

The initiatives and various programmes by Legal Aid Clinic have been recognised by local media and newspapers. The annual report can also be referred here: (https://tinyurl.com/lacreport1920 ).

Legal Aid Clinic has been associated with State Legal Services Authority, Uttar Pradesh. The Prison Reform initiative was undertaken by us along with other initiative. The District Legal Services Authority, Lucknow also supports us with cases.

Legal Aid Clinic has a permanent office where public can approach us. Additionally, the services of the Legal Aid Cell are made accessible through telephone on all days, from Monday to Sunday. For this purpose, all the members agreed to be available on their cell-phones

• Tell me your students’ /team’s etc. initiatives in legal aid, awareness, socio-legal issues.

I am fortunate enough to work with my team consisting of extremely talented and enthusiastic members. Their willingness and efforts has always been source of inspiration. Every member is free to take up on the projects based on their independent interest. In Legal Aid Clinic with collective efforts we have excelled every aspect.

Puneet Deshwal, Co-Convener, Legal Aid Centre for Session 2019-20 deserves special appreciation for his sincere efforts throughout the year in actively managing team affairs.

•  What is the role of higher judiciary in legal aid &awareness in India?

With literacy rate in India, Judicial contribution plays a vital role in legal aid and awareness for the creation of regulated society because majority of people are not aware about vastness of law. Indeed, to provide access to justice for all the judiciary has to cater legal issues of needy people. The legal services authorities has been set up to look after the cases at ground level, the camps organised by the authorities and funds has been issued to the NGOs..

As Supreme Court in Hussainara Khatoon case emphasized that free legal service is an important part for just and fair procedure of law. Justice Krishna Iyer has rightly stated that “Society is guilty if anyone suffers unjustly”.  The apex court has been critical to lack of access to the legal help but the efforts taken are inadequate and needs to be improved.

• What is the role of Government in legal aid &awareness in India?

With virtue of Articles such as Article-39A & and Article 21, this is the duty of government to provide legal aid to the public. The role of government in India has more significance because of the illiteracy and poverty in common people. Due to vast diversity, the needs are different for the people of different regions.

The right to free legal Aid has been considered as fundamental right by the supreme court in the case of M. H. Hoskot Vs State of Maharashtra.[1]  The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 is aimed for “equal access to justice for all”. But the efforts made by the government bodies are not adequate; there should be more checks on the effectiveness of the programmes.

The government may work more extensively in areas like research; allotment of sufficient funds must the legal services authorities and quality checks on implementation procedure.

• What are your views on present situation of legal aid and awareness initiatives in India?

The present situation of legal aid and awareness in India is not very satisfactory. The camps and other initiatives are done for the sake of it. There is no impactful output from these activities. The main reason for its non-effectiveness may be lack of awareness for basic rights and incompetency of enforcement machinery. The Legal Services Authorities must be allotted with meaningful works and the Government should play active role in implementation of these initiatives.

• What are your views on effectiveness of Legal Service Authority Act, 1987?

This act was introduced with the aim to constitute legal services authority for underprivileged people and to deliver justice for them. This act is one of the prominent initiatives undertaken in India.

Due to failure in systematic approach, this act could not have much impact. The aims are not fulfilled. The main motive of this act was legal aid on equal opportunity but due to lack of knowledge and awareness the motive has not been achieved yet.

• What are your views on present situation of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India?

The Public Interests Litigation (PIL) is an extra-judicious remedy; this is a part of Judicial Activism. The purpose of PIL is the enforcement of public interest.

The present scenario of PIL seems very effective and there are many cases where the importance of PIL has been observed. For example the case of Sabrimala can be taken into consideration. The apex court has delivered many decisions in the light of PIL.

PIL has promised new dimensions for access to justice, and due to this there could be better monitoring for systematic failure. PIL could be beneficiary for developing country like India. 

• Message to our readers.

I am happy to learn the initiatives taken by you in field of ‘access to justice’ and your work is very enthusiastic & innovative. I appreciate your help for humanity and convey my best wishes to all team members for your future endeavours.

In case of any specific queries, please write to us at vidhiksewalu@gmail.com or +91-7991200596 (04 PM to 06 PM)

Write to us: Legal Aid Centre, Faculty of Law, LU New Campus, Sitapur Rd, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226031