NALSA should identify socio-economic trends of cases: CJI

The National Legal Services Authority should not only offer legal aid to the poor, but also identify the socio-economic trends of various cases and file them in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir today said.
Speaking at the 11th All India Meet of State Legal Services Authorities here, he said NALSA should not find an alternative profession for advocates in the legal services, contending that legal aid was more about commitment than about profession.
Judges, including Executive Chairman of NALSA Justice P Sathasivam and Chairman of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee Justice A K Pattnaik, suggested the idea of employing a points-based system to advocates engaged in supporting legal services authorities to improve the quality of services offered.

Justice Sathasivam said introduction of points-based system and more renumeration for good advocates were means to ensure quality legal aid to the poor.
Stressing that the state legal services authorities should expand their functions, he said "It is undisputed that the State Legal Services Authorities are the arms of the National Legal Services Authorities who give effect to policies and directions of the central authority."
Observing that judges too have to be involved in creating awareness along with advocates, he said it is also the duty of the magistrate to inform the accused that he has a right to be released on bail on expiry of statutory period of 90 or 60 days as the case may be.

Good renumeration to advocates would attract good talents to the legal aid, he added.