Responsiveness management for access to justice, Legal Aid and user friendliness suggested practical aspects with information system)

Articles 14 and 22(1) of the Indian Constitution makes it obligatory for the State to ensure legal system that promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity to all. Accordingly, in the year 1987, the Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted. The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) lays down policies, principles, guidelines and frames effective and economical schemes for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the Free Legal Services Programs throughout the country. The National Legal Services Authority makes plan of action and calender for the activities for legal services. Legal Services Committees are constituted from National Level too Taluka levels.

Main functions on regular basis are:

To Provide Free and Competent Legal Services to the eligible persons;

To organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes; and

To organize legal awareness camps in the rural areas.

Legal services are also tool to reduce backlog of cases and decrease flow of cases in the court of law. Hon'ble Shri. Justice Mohit S.Shah, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court at the inauguration of the conference of the Judicial officer on “Enhancing Quality of Adjudication” at Judicial Academy Uttan, Thane (Maharashtra- India), addressed that, New Methods and New Roles are necessary in the Justice Delivery System.

During my study for M.B.A.(H.R.) from Sikkim Manipal University, I prepared Live Pilot Project on - Mentor Judge, To Decrease Old Pendency And Increase Rate Of Disposal In Civil Judge Junior Division And Judicial Magistrate First Class Bhiwandi District Thane, Maharashtra, India. I also studied on ADR mechanism and Legal Services. I found need of effective responsive management system at District legal services Cell.

At district places, Secretary are looking the management and execution of legal services within district. He has to monitor work at taluka legal services also.

Now the court manager has to play role in Responsiveness Management for Access to Justice, Legal Aid and User Friendliness. By responsiveness management, it is possible to provide legal services more effectively, efficiently and within time. In my study, I noticed that, if a good plan is made for the executing programs, then it may give more effect for which continuous efforts and monitoring is necessary. It is also necessary to consider feed back for making more suitable plans for future. This paper will examine the practical aspects in legal services and suggested information system to co-ordinate with other district's legal services cell. As per my study, a modern technology is more useful for the legal services with coordination of traditional system at legal services cell.

The literature for legal services Act with Rules (relating to Access to justice and legal aid) are easily available, so I have avoided to repeat it. The subject is vast, so essential points are discussed summarily. It is not exhaustive study, as per my experience the role of responsiveness management in legal services is discussed. Scholars or Research person may frame more suitable method for public at large so that the free legal services should be available at remote level to achieve the objectives of Indian Constitution.