Free legal aid नि:शुल्क कानूनी सहायता
Vishek Vats & Associates is deeply committed to the principle that justice should be accessible to all, regardless of economic status. As part of this commitment, the firm offers exceptional pro bono legal services, providing top-tier representation to those who might otherwise be unable to afford it. Their pro bono efforts are not just an extension of their legal expertise but a reflection of their core values—advocating for the underserved and ensuring that every individual has a fair chance in the legal system. Whether addressing individual cases or supporting broader social causes, Vishek Vats & Associates leverages its extensive legal knowledge to champion the rights of the marginalized, setting a high standard for social responsibility in the legal profession.
Criteria for providing free legal services
Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 prescribes the criteria for giving legal services to the eligible persons. Section 12 of the Act reads as under:-
Every person who has to file or defend a case shall be entitled to legal services under this Act if that person is –
(a) A member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe;
(b) A victim of trafficking in human beings or begar as referred to in Article 23 of the Constitution;
(c) A woman or a child;
(d) A mentally ill or otherwise disabled person;
(e) A person under circumstances of undeserved want such as being a victim of a mass disaster, ethnic violence, caste atrocity, flood, drought, earthquake or industrial disaster; or
(f) An industrial workman; or
(g) In custody, including custody in a protective home within the meaning of clause (g) of Section 2 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956(104 of 1956); or in a juvenile home within the meaning of clause(j) of Section 2 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986 (53 of 1986); or in a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home within the meaning of clause
(g) of Section 2 of the Mental Health Act, 1987(14 of 1987);or
(h) a person in receipt of annual income less than the amount mentioned in the following schedule (or any other higher amount as may be prescribed by the State Government), if the case is before a Court other than the Supreme Court, and less than Rs 5 Lakh, if the case is before the Supreme Court. – Along with LGBTQ: lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenders who fall in the above category + income bracket as mentioned below. –
The Income Ceiling Limit prescribed U/s 12(h) of the Act for availing free legal services in different States has been stated below:
| State/Union Territories | Income Ceiling Limit (Per Annum) |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Assam | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Bihar | Rs. 1,50,000 |
| Chhattisgarh | Rs. 1,50,000 |
| Goa | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Gujarat | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Haryana | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Himachal Pradesh | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Jharkhand | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Karnataka | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Kerala | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Maharashtra | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Manipur | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Meghalaya | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Mizoram | Rs. 25,000 |
| Nagaland | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Odisha | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Punjab | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Rajasthan | Rs. 1,50,000 |
| Sikkim | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Tamil Nadu | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Telangana | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Tripura | Rs. 1,50,000 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Uttarakhand | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| West Bengal | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Chandigarh UT | Rs. 3,00,000 |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli UT | Rs. 15,000 |
| Daman & Diu | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Delhi | Rs. 1,00,000 (General) Rs. 2,00,000 (Senior Citizen) Rs. 2,00,000 (Transgender) |
| Lakshadweep | Rs. 9,000 |
| Puducherry | Rs. 1,00,000 |
How to apply for free Legal Aid
1. Submit your request for seeking free legal aid by visiting the firm’s website i.e., https://vishekvatsandassociates.in or by contacting via mail at contact@vishekvatsandassociates.in
2. Provide all the necessary documents along with duly attested Income Affidavit to determine or assess your financial status for the qualification for free legal aid.
3. After assessing and reviewing your request and documents, if deemed eligible, Vishek Vats & Associates will schedule a consultation to discuss your case in detail. During this meeting, you can share more information about your legal needs, and the firm will outline how they can assist you.