| 2 | Defines important terms, including “legal service”, “Lok Adalat” and “court”. | Legal services include legal advice and help in court cases or other legal proceedings. These definitions explain the main terms used throughout the Act. | — |
| 3 | Provides for the establishment of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). | NALSA works at the national level to provide free legal services to eligible people and promote equal access to justice. | Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979) |
| 3A | Provides for the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee. | This committee arranges legal assistance for eligible people in cases before the Supreme Court of India. It is headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge. | Suk Das v. Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh (1986) |
| 4 | Lists the functions of the Central Authority (NALSA). | NALSA prepares policies, supports legal aid programmes, promotes legal awareness and coordinates legal services activities across India. | State of Maharashtra v. Manubhai Pragaji Vashi (1995) |
| 6 | Provides for the establishment of State Legal Services Authorities. | Each State Legal Services Authority works to provide legal aid and carry out legal services programmes within its State. | — |
| 7 | Lists the functions of State Legal Services Authorities. | State authorities provide legal services to eligible people, organise Lok Adalats and conduct legal awareness programmes. | — |
| 8A | Provides for a High Court Legal Services Committee for each High Court. | These committees help eligible people obtain legal assistance in cases before the relevant High Court. A sitting judge of that High Court serves as the committee's chairman. | — |
| 9 | Provides for the establishment of District Legal Services Authorities. | A District Legal Services Authority works at district level to help people access legal aid and other legal services. | — |
| 10 | Lists the functions of District Legal Services Authorities. | District authorities coordinate legal services in their districts and organise Lok Adalats. They also support legal aid activities for eligible people. | — |
| 11A | Provides for Taluk Legal Services Committees. | A State Legal Services Authority may establish a committee for a taluk (a local administrative area) or a group of taluks. These committees help provide legal services closer to local communities. | — |
| 11B | Lists the functions of Taluk Legal Services Committees. | These committees coordinate legal services at taluk level, organise Lok Adalats and carry out other duties assigned by the District Legal Services Authority. | — |
| 12 | Lists the categories of people who may qualify for free legal services. | Eligible groups include members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, women, children, persons with disabilities, victims of trafficking, industrial workmen, persons in custody and people who meet the prescribed income limit. | Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979) |
| 13 | Sets the conditions for receiving legal services. | A person must qualify under Section 12. The legal services authority must also be satisfied that the person has a case to pursue or defend. | Suk Das v. Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh (1986) |
| 19 | Provides for the organisation of Lok Adalats. | Lok Adalats help parties settle disputes by agreement. They may deal with pending court cases and certain disputes that have not yet reached court, subject to the Act. | State of Punjab v. Jalour Singh (2008) |
| 20 | Explains when a case may be referred to a Lok Adalat. | A court may refer a case to a Lok Adalat under the conditions in this section. The Lok Adalat tries to help the parties reach an agreement rather than deciding the dispute against a party. | State of Punjab v. Jalour Singh (2008) |
| 21 | Gives a Lok Adalat award the force of a civil court decree and makes it final and binding. | An award records the settlement reached by the parties. It is generally not subject to an ordinary appeal, so parties should understand the settlement before agreeing to it. | State of Punjab v. Jalour Singh (2008) |
| 22 | Gives Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats certain powers of a civil court. | These powers include calling witnesses and requiring documents to be produced. The exact powers depend on the type of forum and the matter being considered. | InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. v. N. Satchidanand (2011) |
| 22A | Defines terms used in the provisions on Permanent Lok Adalats, including “public utility service”. | Public utility services are specified essential services, such as transport and postal services. The Act provides a special dispute-resolution process for certain disputes involving these services. | — |
| 22B | Provides for the establishment of Permanent Lok Adalats for public utility services. | Permanent Lok Adalats are created to resolve disputes involving specified public utility services. They first try to help the parties reach a settlement. | InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. v. N. Satchidanand (2011) |
| 22C | Sets out how disputes may be brought before a Permanent Lok Adalat. | A party may apply before taking the dispute to court, subject to the Act. The forum first attempts settlement and may decide the dispute if settlement fails, within its legal authority. | InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. v. N. Satchidanand (2011) |
| 22D | Sets out the procedure followed by Permanent Lok Adalats. | Permanent Lok Adalats are not required to follow every technical rule used by ordinary civil courts. They must act fairly and follow the principles of natural justice (fair treatment and a fair hearing). | InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. v. N. Satchidanand (2011) |
| 22E | Makes a Permanent Lok Adalat's award final and binding, subject to the Act. | The award has the force of a civil court decree. A Permanent Lok Adalat must act within the powers given to it by law. | InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. v. N. Satchidanand (2011) |
| 24 | Gives the Act overriding effect where its provisions conflict with other laws, subject to the Act's terms. | If another law conflicts with a provision of this Act, this section gives priority to this Act to the extent stated in Section 24. | — |
| 26 | Gives the Central Government power to make rules under the Act. | These rules provide details needed to carry out the Act at the national level. They must remain within the powers granted by the Act. | — |
| 27 | Gives State Governments power to make rules under the Act. | State rules help put the Act into practice in matters assigned to State Governments. They must be consistent with the Act and other applicable laws. | — |