A SOCIO-LEGAL STUDY OF FREE LEGAL AID AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LAW, RELIGION AND SOCIETY

Abstract

 

In the present era, legal awareness is essential for every individual. It is not merely a welfare measure but also a necessity for establishing a just and equitable society. This article examines the role of legal aid in ensuring access to justice from a socio-legal perspective. It analyses the constitutional mandates, statutory framework, and social realities that affect the delivery of legal aid, with particular reference to India.

The article adopts a socio-legal perspective to examine the role of free legal aid in promoting equitable access to justice, particularly in the context of religious ethics. It explores how religious traditions and ethical principles, such as compassion, charity, fairness, and social responsibility, support and reinforce the moral foundations of legal aid systems. The article also discusses the development of legal aid under common law, the recommendations of the Law Commission regarding free legal aid, and the constitutional guarantees provided under Articles 21 and 39-A of the Constitution of India.

Free legal aid has contributed significantly to increasing legal awareness, empowering vulnerable communities, and enhancing citizens' participation in the justice delivery system in India. From an international perspective, legal aid has also strengthened the rule of law and promoted global recognition of access to justice as an essential component of human rights.