Interview with Neha Verma, Co-convenor, Legal Aid Society, Law Centre - II, University of Delhi
Q.1 Tell me about yourself.
A. Hello, I am Neha Verma. I am an arts graduate majoring in Economics & Political Sciences from Miranda House and pursuing L.L.B at Law Centre-II, DU.
Q.2 What role are you playing in showcasing the importance of legal aid in society?
A. I am co-convenor of Legal Aid Society of our college. I have participated in various outreach programmes organised by DSLSA and I help organise various events, outreach programmes and guests lectures in our college.
Q.3 What initiative has been taken by your college?
A. Our College, Law centre-II, DU, always focuses on providing first-hand information on the various legal matters.
Q.4 According to you, What is the importance of studying the socio-legal issues for students?
A. Law is not just an amalgamation of various rules and regulations but is intertwined with all society\'s cultural, social, economic, and political factors. Learning about the socio-legal issues helps us understand the complexities of the legal system and its impact on society, especially on marginalized communities. We develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable sections of society, such as access to justice, poverty, discrimination, and social inequality, and simultaneously develop practical legal solutions that better address these needs and concerns.
Q.5 What are your views on the present situation of legal aid and awareness initiatives in India?
A. Government has taken various initiatives like establishing legal aid cells and committees to provide legal aid and awareness and make it more accessible to the populous. All law colleges also have these cells & committees where they execute outreach programs and legal aid camps to increase the penetration of knowledge of the law, like how Delhi State Legal Services Authority supports the program in Delhi. Despite these initiatives, there are still several challenges in providing legal aid and awareness to the people of India, especially those in rural and remote areas. Lack of awareness, poverty, illiteracy, and inadequate infrastructure are some of the challenges that must be addressed to ensure that legal aid and awareness programs are successful.
Q.6 What fields should students work in to help curb socio-legal issues?
A. If I may recall, the major issues that we countered & advocated while working in the outreach program were related to women’s domestic abuse, lack of awareness of rights & education of the women, child abuse, child labor, and the sheer unwillingness of the people to connect with the police in case of any mishap. I believe students must engage extensively in social work, both during education & practice, and focus on women\'s rights, child rights, gender sensitization, and sensitizing people that the police and law are there to protect them and not harm them.
Q.7 What public policy reforms and shifts are required to advance the legal aid mechanism?
A. Educating the mass populous about their rights from a young age, especially teenagers, is essential to make them aware of their rights, the rights of the people, women’s & child\'s rights, and gender sensitization. Even leveraging the technology to drive dispute resolution and legal aid mechanisms can become easily accessible to the population. Apart from this, the government should encourage pro-bono legal services and strengthen legal aid institutions in India.
Q.8 What is the role of the higher judiciary in legal aid and awareness in India?
A. The higher judiciary in India has a critical role in promoting legal aid and awareness. It can use its interpretation, activism, and monitoring powers to ensure that people\'s rights are protected and that legal aid services are delivered effectively and efficiently. It also plays a role in promoting legal education and training lawyers, judges, and the general public. They also make policy recommendations to the government and other stakeholders on improving legal aid and awareness programs and schemes.
Q.9 What is the role of the government in advancing legal aid and awareness in India?
A. As I said, they are responsible for setting up legal aid cells and committees all over India and colleges for solving socio-legal issues. They implement legal aid schemes, conduct legal awareness programs & initiatives, like ‘Pro bono legal services,’ ‘Tele law service,’ and ‘Nyaya Mitra scheme’; allocate funds, undertake legislative reforms, and build capacity to ensure that legal aid and awareness services are delivered effectively and efficiently to those in need.
Q.10 What are your views on the Legal Services Authority Act of 1987?
A. I believe the Legal Services Authority Act of 1987 is a landmark legislation in India that aims to provide free legal services to society\'s poor and marginalized sections. It has acted as a support system for all citizens to access legal aid. Even with all the initiatives, there are still several areas that need intervention, like access to legal aid at the grassroots level, lack of infrastructure, and increasing penetration using technology. Strengthening legal aid institutions is essential for all citizens to access legal aid supported by the government.
Q.11 What are your future plans?
A. I aim to be a judge and serve my country to the best of my abilities.
Q.12 Message for ProBono India
A. My message to ProBono India would be to continue their efforts in providing legal aid and awareness to those in need. ProBono India has been doing excellent work in the field of legal aid and awareness and has made a significant impact on the lives of many individuals. I also urge them to leverage technology and social media to reach more people and create awareness about their initiatives. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to ProBono India for their contribution to society and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
