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Tele-Law Service: Affordable Legal Advice for Everyone

How Tele-Law Service Provides Affordable Legal Advice and Saves Time

Access to legal advice is a fundamental right that should be available to everyone, regardless of their financial status or location. The Tele-Law service, initiated by the Ministry of Law and Justice, aims to make legal support accessible, affordable, and convenient for all. This service, facilitated through Common Service Centres (CSCs) at the Gram Panchayat level, leverages video conferencing and telephone facilities to connect lawyers with individuals seeking legal advice. Here's how Tele-Law service helps in saving time and money while providing essential legal aid.

Time and Cost Efficiency of Tele-Law Service

One of the standout features of the Tele-Law service is its efficiency in terms of time and cost:

Saving Time:

• Remote Access: By using video conferencing and telephone services, Tele-Law allows individuals to receive legal advice without the need to travel. This is particularly beneficial for those in rural and remote areas where access to legal professionals is limited.
• Quick Appointments: The service offers the convenience of scheduling appointments with Panel Lawyers swiftly, often the next day after registration. For urgent matters, the instant video conferencing facility can provide same-day consultations depending on the availability of the lawyers.

Cost-Effective Legal Advice:

• Free Services for Eligible Individuals: Tele-Law provides free legal advice to those eligible for free legal aid under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987. This includes women, children, individuals from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, victims of trafficking, mentally ill and differently-abled people, victims of natural disasters or ethnic violence, workers in unorganized sectors, undertrials, and low-income groups.
• Nominal Fee for Others: For individuals not covered under the free legal aid eligibility, Tele-Law charges a nominal fee of just Rs. 30 per consultation. This low cost ensures that legal advice remains affordable for a broader section of the population.

Eligibility for Free Legal Aid

The Tele-Law service ensures that legal support reaches those who need it the most. The eligibility for free legal aid under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987, includes:

• Women
• Children
• Persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
• Victims of trafficking
• Mentally ill and differently-abled individuals
• Victims of natural disasters or ethnic violence
• Workers in unorganized sectors or industrial workers
• Undertrials
• Low-income groups

By targeting these groups, Tele-Law aims to provide equitable access to justice for all.

Convenience of Tele-Law Service

In addition to being time-efficient and cost-effective, Tele-Law service offers several conveniences: