Law students should give back to society by volunteering as paralegals: Justice UU Lalit

Supreme Court judge Justice UU Lalit recently urged law students to give back to society by acting as paralegal volunteers, similar to students of medicine who intern and work in rural areas as a matter of compulsion. .Justice Lalit, who is the executive chairperson of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) advised that law students could act as bridges between the providers and seekers of legal aid.."We have medical colleges, dental colleges where internship is a matter of compulsion. We don’t want to compel anybody, (but) why not in law colleges that students also give back to society in the form of acting as para legal volunteers, between the providers and seekers of legal aid," he said..Justice Lalit was speaking at the launch of a pan-India awareness and outreach campaign of NALSA on Saturday.In his speech, Justice Lalit also said that the Bar Council of India (BCI) had assured NALSA that law colleges would be extending such support.."If law colleges adopt maybe two or three talukas in the region, then maybe there will be a regular stream of students who will be devoted to the cause of legal aid. I’m already in touch with the Bar Council of India. They have assured us that perhaps all law colleges would be extending this kind of support," he said..It could be one of the two steps that will help NALSA realise its aspirations with respect to the pan India program, he said..Justice Lalit also requested senior lawyers to make sure that they participate in pro bono work, and view it as their contribution to the society. He remarked that with good assistance in legal aid, people will gain confidence in the service.."If competent, senior, and established advocates take it as a cause, as a return that is due to the society and if they start doing pro bono work, I think we will have excellent assistance coming through legal aid that will build the confidence in the eyes of people. Through that confidence they must feel that trust to rely on legal services committee through the country," he said..While he acknowledged the leaps taken by NALSA in the last twenty five years, the executive chairman also stressed upon the need to expand its reach to the remotest areas of the country.."We have taken large and very strong strides till now, yet we still have not reached every nook, corner, every village in the country. Of all the pending case, there are only 1% cases with the legal aid. Why? Is there any lack of confidence? Are we lacking in reaching out to people?", he asked..[Read account of entire event here].[Watch event here]