The Legal Services Authorities Act and The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, were drafted in 1987 and 2000 respectively but some of us (members of the judiciary) are not familiar with their provisions even today. It is not a reflection on any body particular as such; it’s just that we did not get an opportunity to deal with these enactments in detail to educate ourselves,” said Hon’ble Justice Altamas Kabir, Judge- Supreme Court of India while inaugurating the training programme on 'Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and Juvenile Justice System' organized by UP State Legal Services Authority under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority at Amity University, Sector-125, Noida.
Sharing his views and experience with the gathering, Justice Kabir further said said that extensive programs on legal awareness have been regularly organized to make people aware of what is available to them and what needs to be implemented. He said it was time the legal fraternity realized the need to educate itself in the nitty-gritties of the two enactments. Dwelling on the lacuna hampering the smooth functioning of the Lok Adalats, he lamented the dearth of effective infrastructure to implement the provisions of the Acts and the reluctance of the people to come to Lok Adalats. At the same time, he said that the situation was not same all over the country. Therefore, in states such as UP, which are densely populated and have so many districts, it was important to educate and familiarize people on the provisions of the Act.
Mr. Amitava Lala, Sr. Judge Allahabad High Court said, “the problems of Noida cannot be equated with those of Son Bhadra and problems of District Son Bhadra’s cannot be equated with those of the District of Lucknow. The aim of the Legal Services Authority is to render an alternative judicial system; justice delivery is not restricted from the point of view of the Civil Custodial Court and Evidence Act. It depends upon fair play; it depends upon equity and when we think about equity then we think about morality, we think about the other natures of social justice which are required to be rendered through this process. It is not a dream; it was a dream at one point of time but by insertion of Article 39 A and thereafter, promulgation of the Act and several amendments, we have come across a particular pavement from we shall be able to render justice.”
Welcoming the distinguished gathering, Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Group, said that it was a historical day for Amity to host such a vast gathering of eminent members of judiciary. Dr. Chauhan remarked that the topics chosen for the training were very apt and relevant for making India a superpower. He said lawyers from no other country could surpass the intelligence of Indian lawyers. He shared five mantras for budding lawyers to scale the pinnacle of success- Creativity, Commitment, Intuition, Flexibility and Wisdom. Dr. Chauhan, during the occasion, announced the commencement of three Credit Courses of “Legal Aid Services” for law students of Amity University.
Sharing his views with the august gathering, Mr. Deepak Misra, Chief Justice, Delhi High Court, said, “People who are associated with Lok Adalats or Juvenile Justice Systems must have concern, sincerity and commitment towards the litigants. They should ask themselves the fundamental questions- Do I really feel for the poor? Do I really have the commitment to argue the case of a marginalized person who cannot really afford? Students belonging to legal profession should restraint from condescending attitude; they should go to the villages, conduct studies, report and try to ameliorate the problems of the poor and marginalized sections of the society, acting as social activists.” He said every case had a face to it and advised the judiciary to adopt a humanitarian approach while dealing with people.
Mooting an important suggestion during the inauguration, Mr. Devendra Pratap Singh, Judge, Allahabad high Court, said, “I have a rural background and nearly every month I visit my village, there are very small petty matters of the illiterate villagers for which they have to make rounds of the Tehseel very often. If the Authority can look into that I think it will render more human service to the litigants.”
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During the occasion, a Permanent “Amity Legal Aid Center” was inaugurated at Amity Campus, Sector 125, Noida by Justice Kabir. The centre shall work on all working days from 3 pm to 5 pm and shall deal with cases referred to it by UP State Legal Services Authority as well as cases brought before it concerning all sections of society. The establishment of the Legal Aid Centre in an academic institution is a new concept hitherto unheard of. Dr. Chauhan announced the opening of one “ Legal Aid Clinic” in each of Amity University i.e. in Haryana, Rathasthan and Gwalior.