SUPREME COURT LEGAL SERVICES COMMITTEE (SCLSC)

• The formation of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, as mandated by Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, aims to offer legal assistance to the disadvantaged sectors of society within matters falling under the jurisdiction of the highest court. As per Section 3A, the Central Authority, represented by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), is responsible for establishing this committee.
• Its composition includes a presiding Supreme Court judge as the chairperson and other members possessing qualifications and expertise specified by the governing body. Both the chairperson and other members are appointed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who also holds the authority to designate the Committee's Secretary

• The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) comprises Chairperson BR Gavai and nine individuals chosen by the CJI.
• Additionally, the Committee holds the authority to hire personnel and staff members as outlined by the central guidelines, following discussions with the CJI.
• Moreover, Rule 10 of the NALSA Rules from 1995 specifies the quantity, expertise, and credentials expected of SCLSC members.
• As outlined in Section 27 of the 1987 Act, the central government is authorized to establish regulations, through notification and in consultation with the CJI, to enforce the provisions of the Act

4.What the Legal Services Authorities Act says?

• The Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987 was introduced to establish a legal foundation for legal aid programs. Its primary goal is to offer competent and cost-free legal services to various eligible segments of society, encompassing women, children, SC/ST and EWS categories, industrial laborers, individuals with disabilities, among others.
• This Act led to the formation of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in 1995, tasked with overseeing the execution of legal aid initiatives, setting guidelines for accessible legal services, and creating a nationwide framework for dispensing legal aid and support.
• NALSA also allocates funds and grants to State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the implementation of legal aid programs. Consequently, State Legal Services Authorities were established in each state to execute NALSA's policies, deliver free legal services, and conduct Lok Adalats.
• These authorities, led by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court, have the senior High Court judge as their Executive Chairman, with the HC Chief Justice serving as the chief patron of the SLSA and the CJI as the chief patron of NALSA.
• Furthermore, District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) and Taluk Legal Services Committees were instituted in districts and most taluks, respectively.
• Positioned within the District Courts Complex in each district, DLSAs are overseen by the District Judge. Taluk or Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committees, headed by a senior civil judge, were established in most taluks.
• Together, these entities organize legal awareness programs, furnish free legal services, facilitate the acquisition and issuance of certified order copies and other legal documents, among other duties