Are you a middle-income citizen seeking legal support but concerned about high legal fees? The Supreme Court Middle Income Group (MIG) Legal Aid Scheme is designed to provide affordable legal services to individuals whose gross income does not exceed ₹60,000 per month or ₹7,50,000 annually.
What is the Supreme Court Middle Income Group Legal Aid Scheme?
The Supreme Court MIG Legal Aid Scheme was established to ensure that middle-income individuals have access to quality legal services without the financial burden. The scheme allows eligible individuals to engage experienced lawyers, including Advocates-on-Record and Senior Advocates, at significantly reduced costs.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this scheme, applicants must:
- Have a gross monthly income of ₹60,000 or less, or
- Have an annual income not exceeding ₹7,50,000.
How the Scheme Works
Under the scheme, applicants can access a panel of Supreme Court Advocates who provide legal aid. The applicant must submit an application and pay a service charge of ₹500 to the Supreme Court Middle Income Group Legal Aid Society.
Once approved, the legal documents are assigned to an Advocate-on-Record. If the case is deemed fit for the Supreme Court, legal aid is granted. If the case is rejected, the applicant will receive a refund minus ₹750 for service charges.
Fee Schedule for Legal Aid Services
The fee structure under the scheme is designed to be affordable. For example:
- ₹10,000 for drafting and filing an SLP or writ petition.
- ₹3,000 per day (up to ₹9,000) for hearing the case at the final disposal stage.
- Additional fees for Senior Advocates and other legal services are also available as per the schedule attached to the scheme.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply for legal aid by:
- Submitting their application form to the Supreme Court Middle Income Group Legal Aid Society along with supporting documents.
- Selecting preferred Advocates-on-Record from the scheme’s panel.
- Paying the required service charges and fees as per the schedule.
For more details and to download the application form, visit the Supreme Court MIG Legal Aid Society office at 109, Lawyers Chambers, R.K. Jain Block, Supreme Court Compound, New Delhi.
