ADVICE WORK
This Department promptly attends to
advice matters received from various Departments. A typical case involves interpretation
of intricate question of law, Opinion of one of the Advocate General is also taken in the
matter as and when required. During the period from 1.4.2003 to 31.3.2004, 1211 Criminal
and Civil cases were disposed off besides 56 criminal cases were disposed off by Fast
Track Courts I & II.
LITIGATION
WORK
For the purpose of conduct of
Government litigation, this Department prepares panels of Advocates based on their
experience. Advocates from these panels are engaged to represent the Government in the
Courts. On important matters before Supreme Court and High Courts, Advocate General is
consulted for legal views/opinions.
CONVEYANCING
During the period 1.4.2003 to
31.3.2004, 222 cases of conveyancing matters received from various Departments were dealt
with.
LEGAL AID
Providing legal aid to the poor and
the weaker sections of the society is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The
Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 provides for Constitution of Legal Services
Authorities. These bodies have the responsibility of providing free and competent legal
services to the weaker sections of the society and to organise Lok Adalats. This Act has
put Lok Adalats on a statutory footing. The Legal Aid Programme is monitored by the
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) which is headed by the Chief Justice of India.
LEGAL
PROFESSION
The Advocates Acts, 1961 has
consolidated the law relating to practitioners. It also provides for constitution of State
Bar Council. State Bar Council mainly admit persons as advocates on their rolls and deal
with cases of misconduct against advocates (enclosed the list of Penal of Advocates at
Annexure-I).
NOTARIES
The profession of notaries is
regulated by the Notaries Act, 1952. The Act provides for appointment of notaries by the
Central Government and the State Governments, their functions, removal, reciprocal
arrangement for recognition of notarial acts done by foreign notaries, etc. This Act
prohibits a person from practising as a notary without obtaining a certificate of practice
either from the Central Government or the State Governments. This Notaries Act has been
amended in December, 1999 (a list of Notaries enclosed at Annexure-II).
