Make legal services affordable to all: President Patil

Kochi, Dec 28 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil called here on Monday said there was need to make legal services affordable to all.

Delivering the inaugural address at the two-day National Conference of All India Federation of Women Lawyers here, President Patil asked lawyers to ensure that high costs do not act as a barrier to seek justice.

"Affordability of legal services is an issue on which there should be constant focus in legal circles so that the right for judicial opportunity is not compromised due to high costs," Patil said.

She also expressed concern that court fees and high lawyers fees were impinging on the decision to opt for a legal remedy.

"Government has taken several steps to make free legal service available for the poor, disadvantaged and others. Women lawyers should devote some time to contribute to these efforts to secure legal services for women and those who are vulnerable," she said.

Patil said that legal reforms should address procedural aspects so that justice delivery mechanisms can be easily understood by the public.

In her address she also stressed on the need of making system more transparent, effective and people oriented.

"Innovative mechanisms are required to reduce delays in legal proceedings, including revising legal codes and old and outdated laws besides strengthening institutional aspects of the judiciary," President Patil said. (ANI)