KOCHI:
The School of Legal Studies (S.L.S.), Cochin University of Science and Technology is all set to provide free legal aid to the public through its new venture Tele Legal Aid Clinic. The Legal Aid Clinic aims to assist the general public in matters such as filing petitions with authorities and courts. Those in need of legal assistance in any issues can contact the Tele Legal Aid Clinic in person, by phone, or by e-mail.
The Tele Legal Aid Clinic is handled by students at the School of Legal Studies. A team of eminent lawyers from the Alumni Association of S.L.S. will provide guidance to the students in handling the petitions or submissions. The persons in charge of the clinic will provide advice in consultation with the team of lawyers if there is a need for legal support.
The complainant will be guided to the appropriate forum or person depending on the nature of the issue. The students themselves will prepare or help to prepare the petitions and submit them to the authorities or the courts.
“One of the objectives of the clinic is to provide practical legal training to the students of the S.L.S. at the operational level and general awareness on how to deal with the problems of the common man by engaging in daily legal matters”, said Vani
Kesari, Director, School of Legal Studies. “It is the duty of the School to address the legal and other related issues of people who are experiencing financial hardship in the days of the pandemic” , She added. The Tele Legal Aid Clinic will be run in collaboration with the Ernakulam District Legal Service Authority.
Justice Dr. Kauser Edappagath, Addl. Judge, High Court of Kerala inaugurated the clinic online on Wednesday. Vice Chancellor Dr K.N. Madhusoodanan presided over the function. Nissar Ahmed, District Judge and Member Secretary, KELSA, Dr D. Sreekumar, First Addl. Sub Judge and Secretary- in-Charge DLSA, Ernakulam, Justice (Retd.) S. Sirijagan, President, Alumni Association, S.L.S., Adv. (Dr) K.P. Pradeep, Secretary, Alumni Association, S.L.S., Dr Vani Kesari, Head,
School of Legal Studies and Arathi Ashok, Asst. Professor, S.L.S. also spoke.
