Assignment

1. Define Paral legal Services and Who can be a PLV?

Paralegal Services refer to the assistance provided by trained individuals who are not fully
qualified lawyers but have sufficient legal knowledge and skills to support legal professionals
and provide basic legal aid. Paralegal services involve various tasks such as legal research,
drafting legal documents, assisting in case preparation, explaining legal procedures to clients,
and providing information on legal rights and remedies. Paralegals help bridge the gap
between legal professionals and the public, ensuring that people, especially those in
marginalized communities, have access to justice and legal information. Their role is crucial
in reducing the burden on lawyers, expediting legal processes, and making legal aid
accessible to those who may not otherwise afford professional legal representation.
Paralegals are an essential element of the legal profession. A paralegal, also recognized as a
legal assistant, is a professional who performs a variety of legal tasks under the supervision of
an attorney. They support and assist lawyers in numerous ways, including conducting legal
research, drafting legal documents, and preparing for trial. Paralegals play a vital role in
ensuring that lawyers can provide their clients with the best representation.

A Paralegal Volunteer (PLV) is someone who, though not a licensed attorney, is trained and
empowered to assist in legal matters as part of a legal aid system, often under the supervision
of lawyers or legal aid authorities. PLVs can be anyone who possesses basic legal awareness,
has a desire to help others, and is willing to undergo formal training in paralegal work.
During the year 2009, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) brought out a scheme
called the Para-Legal Volunteers Scheme, which aimed at imparting legal training to
volunteers selected from different walks of life to ensure legal aid reaching all sections of
people through the process of Para-Legal Volunteers Scheme; ultimately removing the
barriers into access to justice. The Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) are expected to act as
intermediaries bridging the gap between the common people and the Legal Services
Institutions to remove impediments in access to justice. Ultimately, the process aims at Legal
Services Institutions reaching out to the people at their doorsteps rather than people
approaching such Legal Services Institutions.
With the basic knowledge in the laws and other available welfare measures and legislation,
they would be able to assist their immediate neighbourhood; those who are in need of such
assistance, so that a person, who is not aware of such right is not only made to understand his
rights, but also will be able to have access to measures involving implementation of such
rights.

2. Identify the similarities between Para Legal, Para Medical and Paral Military.
Paralegal, paramedical, and paramilitary services, while serving distinct sectors of
society, share several key similarities in terms of function, purpose, and operational structure.
First, all three roles support and complement primary professionals in their respective fields.
Paralegals assist lawyers by conducting legal research, drafting documents, and offering basic
legal guidance; paramedical personnel support doctors and nurses by providing emergency
care, administering treatments, and assisting in medical procedures; similarly, paramilitary
forces aid regular military units by undertaking defense, security, and law enforcement duties.
In each case, these roles ensure the smooth functioning of the primary system by alleviating
the workload and allowing core professionals to focus on specialized tasks.
Second, the individuals in these roles are trained in specific, practical skill sets that are
critical for fulfilling their duties effectively. Paralegals receive legal training to understand
procedures and rights, paramedical staff undergo clinical education to handle medical
emergencies, and paramilitary personnel are trained in combat, security, and tactical
operations. Although they do not hold the full qualifications of lawyers, doctors, or military
officers, they possess enough specialized knowledge to perform essential functions
independently within the scope of their expertise.
Another similarity is the role of these professions in increasing access to essential services for
the public. Paralegals help bridge the gap in legal services for marginalized and underserved
communities, paramedics provide urgent care in situations where immediate medical
assistance is needed, and paramilitary forces offer additional security and order in regions
where regular forces may be unavailable or overstretched. In each case, these roles contribute
to the greater good by ensuring broader, more efficient delivery of services.
Lastly, all three roles operate under supervision and are bound by strict ethical guidelines,
discipline, and a clear chain of command. Paralegals work under the supervision of licensed
attorneys, paramedical professionals follow medical protocols established by healthcare
providers, and paramilitary units function under the directives of military or law enforcement
authorities. This structure ensures accountability, quality of service, and coordination with the
primary profession to achieve shared objectives. Thus, despite their differences in
application, paralegal, paramedical, and paramilitary roles are united by their supportive
nature, specialized training, public service contributions, and adherence to professional
standards.

3. What Do Community Paralegals Do?

Community paralegals play a critical role in enhancing access to justice and legal
empowerment, particularly in marginalized or underserved communities. These individuals
are trained in basic legal knowledge and procedures, enabling them to provide assistance and
guidance to community members who may face barriers in accessing formal legal services.
Unlike fully qualified lawyers, community paralegals operate at the grassroots level, bridging
the gap between the community and the formal legal system. Their duties often involve
educating people about their legal rights, assisting in the preparation of legal documents, and
helping individuals navigate bureaucratic procedures. They also support clients in resolving
disputes through mediation, negotiation, and other alternative dispute resolution methods,
thereby reducing the reliance on costly and time-consuming court processes.
Community paralegals frequently engage in outreach activities to spread legal awareness on
issues such as labour rights, domestic violence, land rights, and access to government welfare
schemes. They empower individuals to advocate for themselves by equipping them with the
knowledge needed to understand and protect their rights. Additionally, they assist in
documenting legal grievances and accompany individuals to police stations, courts, or
administrative offices to ensure that their concerns are addressed appropriately. In cases
where legal representation is necessary, community paralegals connect clients with qualified
lawyers or legal aid organizations.
Furthermore, community paralegals are instrumental in addressing systemic issues within
their communities by identifying patterns of injustice and advocating for policy changes.
They often work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based
organizations (CBOs), and legal aid bodies to implement grassroots legal initiatives. Through
their localized and community-cantered approach, community paralegals ensure that legal
assistance is accessible, relevant, and culturally appropriate. Their work not only helps
resolve individual cases but also contributes to long-term social justice and the strengthening
of the rule of law within society.

4. What are the duties of PLVs? and analyse the role of Para Legal services as a catalyst
in justice delivery system.
A)
i. Para-Legal Volunteer shall educate people, especially those belonging to weaker
sections of the society, to enable them to be aware of their right to live with human
dignity, to enjoy all the constitutionally and statutorily guaranteed rights as also the
duties and discharge of obligations as per law.
ii. Para-Legal Volunteers shall make people aware of the nature of their
disputes/issues/problems and inform them that they can approach the MLSC/ DLSA/
HCLSC/SLSA/SCLSC to resolve the dispute/issue/problems through these
institutions.
iii. Para-Legal Volunteers shall constantly keep a watch on transgressions of law or acts
of injustice in their area of operation and bring them immediately to the notice of the
MLSC through telephonic message or a written communication or in person to enable
effective remedial action by the Committee.
iv. When the PLV receives information about the arrest of a person in the locality, the
PLV shall visit the Police Station and ensure that the arrested person gets legal
assistance, if necessary, through the nearest legal services institutions.
v. The PLVs shall also ensure that the victims of crime also get proper care and
attention.
vi. Efforts shall be made by the PLVs to secure compensation for the victims of crime
under the provisions of Section 357-A Cr.P.C.
vii. PLVs shall, with proper authorization from the DLSA/TLSC visit jails, lockups,
psychiatric hospitals, children's homes/observation homes and shall ascertain the legal
service needs of the inmates and intimate the authorities concerned about any absence
noticed of basic essential necessities with special emphasis on hygiene.
viii. PLVs shall report violations of child rights, child labour, missing children and
trafficking of girl children to the nearest legal services institutions or to the child
welfare committee.
ix. Para-Legal Volunteers shall assist the DLSA/TLSC for organizing legal awareness
camps in their area of operation.
 x. Para-Legal Volunteers shall give information to the people of their locality about the
legal services activities of SLSA/DLSA/TLSC/HCLSC/SCLSC and shall provide
their addresses to the people to enable them to utilize the free services rendered by the
above organizations to the eligible persons.
xi. Para-Legal Volunteers shall generate awareness amongst people about the benefits of
settlement of disputes including pre-litigation stage through Lok Adalat, Conciliation,
Mediation and Arbitration.
xii. Para-Legal Volunteers shall make people aware of the benefits of inexpensive
settlement of disputes relating to Public Utility Services like P&T, Telephones,
Electricity, Water Supply, Insurance and hospital services through Permanent Lok
Adalat (PLA).
B)
Paralegal services play a crucial role as a catalyst in the justice delivery system by
enhancing access to justice, alleviating the burden on formal legal institutions, and
empowering marginalized communities to assert their legal rights. Paralegals serve as
intermediaries between the general public and the legal system, providing essential legal
support and guidance to those who may otherwise struggle to access professional legal
services due to financial, geographical, or educational barriers. By offering services such as
legal education, document preparation, and guidance on procedural requirements, paralegals
facilitate greater participation in the justice system. This not only helps individuals
understand and exercise their rights but also fosters confidence in the legal process, thereby
promoting a more equitable and accessible justice delivery framework.
Furthermore, paralegal services help to streamline the justice delivery system by handling
non-complex legal matters, thus enabling lawyers and courts to focus on more intricate cases.
Paralegals assist in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes such as mediation and
negotiation, which reduces the backlog of cases in courts and leads to swifter resolutions.
This is particularly significant in countries with overburdened judicial systems, where delays
can undermine public trust in justice institutions. By addressing legal issues at the community
level, paralegals help decongest courts and contribute to the overall efficiency and
effectiveness of the justice delivery system.
In addition, paralegals act as agents of legal empowerment and social justice. They work
closely with disadvantaged groups, such as women, rural populations, and low-income
communities, to ensure that legal remedies are not restricted to the privileged few. Through
awareness campaigns and community outreach programs, paralegals educate individuals
about their rights under the law, helping to prevent exploitation and abuse. This proactive
approach reduces the incidence of legal violations and encourages adherence to the rule of
law. Moreover, by documenting cases of injustice and advocating for policy reforms,
paralegals play an active role in promoting systemic change and ensuring that justice is not
only delivered but is also perceived as fair and accessible by all segments of society