The Legal Aid Committee at Dr. RMLNLU, founded in 2009 with the principle "Seva Parmo Dharma," is dedicated to providing legal support to marginalized communities. Along with offering legal aid, it functions as the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Cell, organizing intra and inter-university competitions to promote alternate dispute resolution. Vice Chancellor Dr. Amar Pal Singh with his intensive knowledge and passion for legal aid acts as a harbinger of enlightenment for the committee. Dr. Manish Singh, the dedicated chairperson of the committee, brings a wealth of experience and scholarship to his role while Dr. Vikas Bhati stands as a beacon of knowledge and guidance in his role as committee coordinator.
A cornerstone of the LAC’s efforts is its Legal Aid Camp, which serves as a crucial link between the public and government officials, prior to the camp, committee members conduct Pre-Camp surveys to gauge public concerns and consult village authorities, for a better understanding of the issues faced by the villagers. Not only does the Camp tackle the legal issues prevalent among the villagers but also creates awareness about government programs they can be beneficiaries of and enhances their understanding of essential laws. Following the camp, post-camp follow-ups are done to assess the status of applications submitted through us by the villagers at the time of the camp, allowing the committee to provide continued support to the villagers after the camp.
In addition to this LAC undertakes Project Asha, which provides legal support to undertrial prisoners in Lucknow district ensuring their right to equal protection under the law. This project partners with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). LAC believes that education should not only be accessible to the privileged but to all, LAC Shiksha is essential for raising awareness among children about their rights and critical social issues and promoting social responsibility. The initiative fosters informed future leaders to drive positive change in their communities. It collaborates with NGOs such as the Association for Advocacy and Legal Initiatives Trust, SWAPNA Foundation, and Action Aid India. LAC's latest effort is the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan under the Ministry of Education (MoE), in partnership with the Committee for Seminars, Workshops, Extra Murals, and Special Lectures. This national program engages higher educational institutions in sustainable village development. As part of the initiative, LAC has adopted five villages to promote sustainable development through household surveys, awareness campaigns, and healthcare initiatives.
LAC organizes various events while working as the ADR Cell, the flagship event of the ADR Cell, the 2TG-RMLNLU International Mediation Competition, which saw its first edition in 2012 and is one of the oldest ADR competitions in South Asia. The Competition includes sessions and workshops featuring experts like Mr. Andrew Miller KC and Ms. Claudia Winkler, greatly benefiting participants' development. Our intra-competition, CLINEME includes two segments: Client Counselling, where participants, acting as attorneys, use strategic questioning to gather key information from clients while ensuring their comfort, and are judged on their problem-solving ability; and Negotiation & Mediation, where negotiators represent opposing parties in a fictional dispute, with mediators facilitating the discussion. The ADR cell also conducts seminars and workshops featuring expert practitioners to raise awareness and enhance skills, offering valuable insights into ADR methods.
The Legal Aid Committee has been recognized for its contributions, receiving the “Knowledge Steez Legal Aid Award 2019” at the 4th National Conference on Human Rights & Gender Justice in 2020, marking it as the best functioning committee in the country. Through these initiatives, the LAC demonstrates its commitment to service and legal empowerment, striving to foster an equitable legal system