Tele Law in India:how to fill the gap between justice and common man Right to access justice is a basic right included in the constitution of India. Nonetheless, rural and remote regions have been diagnosed with obtaining legal advice and assistance being an issue by millions of people having to live in the said areas because of reasons such as unawareness, remoteness to legal institutions and monetary constraints. To overcome this imbalance the Government of India has introduced the Tele-Law program which is an innovative and technology-oriented solution to reach even the desperate segments of the society with legal professionals via digital mediums. Tele-Law has come up as a measure of providing justice to everyone without considering the geographical locations or the money. We look into the concept, the goes of the Tele-Law program, functioning and advantages of the program under consideration in this article.
Table of Contents
What is the meaning of Tele-Law?
Tele-Law is a government program involving conversion of the telecommunication and digital technology into providing legal guidance to individuals in rural and underserved communities. The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice has been actively involved in the launching of this in 2017 in cooperation with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as part of the Digital India Programme. The service makes the citizens accessible to the panel lawyers through video conferencing or telephones thanks to Common Service Centres (CSCs)- digital service entities spread across villages and small towns in India. The initiative mostly focuses on the poor, marginalized, disadvantaged, and weak groups in the society that are unable to readily obtain the support of the law.
Goals of Tele-Law
The principle objectives of the Tele-Law program are: To offer pre-litigation legal advise to eliminate litigation and reduce court cases. To close the gap between the rural and urban cities through the provision of quality legal services by getting to such areas. In order to create awareness about legal rights, government schemes and the justice system. Provision of cost effective and timely legal services to the citizens particularly women, children, disabled persons, SCs/STs and senior citizens. To enhance digital inclusion through the use of technology in dispensation of justice.
Key Stakeholders Involved
The success of Tele-Law relies on collaboration between several stakeholders:
- Department of Justice – Nodal agency responsible for program implementation.
- CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd. – Provides the physical and digital infrastructure through over 5 lakh CSCs across India.
- State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) – Ensure legal awareness and engagement at the grassroots level.
- Panel Lawyers – Provide legal advice through scheduled consultations.
- Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) – Assist citizens at CSCs, register cases, and help connect them to lawyers.
How Does Tele-Law Work?
The Tele-Law system is designed to be user-friendly, especially for those unfamiliar with digital platforms.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Visit the Nearest CSC
Citizens approach the nearest Common Service Centre for legal assistance. - Assistance by PLVs
A Para Legal Volunteer (PLV) stationed at the CSC assists the person in registering their legal issue on the Tele-Law portal. - Scheduling Consultation
A convenient time is scheduled for the citizen to speak with a panel lawyer via video conference or phone call. - Legal Advice Given
The lawyer listens to the issue and offers pre-litigation legal advice or recommends further action (such as going to court or resolving through Lok Adalat). - Documentation and Feedback
A summary of the advice is recorded, and citizens are encouraged to give feedback on the service.
Types of Legal Matters Handled
Tele-Law provides support in a wide range of civil and criminal cases, such as:
- Family disputes (divorce, maintenance, domestic violence)
- Property and land disputes
- Labour and employment issues
- Rights of women, children, and senior citizens
- Social welfare entitlements (pensions, subsidies)
- Cybercrime
- Consumer protection
- Dowry and harassment cases
- Legal documentation assistance
Free and Affordable Legal Advice
One of the key highlights of Tele-Law is affordability:
- Free for eligible beneficiaries, including those covered under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, such as:
- SC/ST citizens
- Women and children
- Victims of disaster or trafficking
- Persons with disabilities
- Industrial workmen
- People below the poverty line
- Nominal fee of ₹30 for those not covered under the free category
This model ensures that no one is denied legal advice due to financial constraints.
Achievements and Milestones
Since its inception, Tele-Law has seen rapid growth and impact:
- Over 70 lakh beneficiaries reached as of 2024
- Operational in all states and union territories
- Over 50,000 CSCs equipped with Tele-Law services
- Inclusion of Jails, Juvenile Homes, and Shelter Homes to expand legal access
- Special focus on North-Eastern states, tribal belts, and border areas
The platform has played a vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic, where physical access to legal services was limited.
Digital Tools Supporting Tele-Law
Tele-Law is powered by several digital initiatives:
- Tele-Law Mobile App – Used by PLVs and lawyers to manage cases and consultations
- Online Dashboard – Tracks performance, number of consultations, and pending cases
- SMS and WhatsApp Alerts – Notify citizens about scheduled consultations
- eCourts and UMANG Integration – Provide access to court services and other digital justice tools
These tools ensure transparency, efficiency, and scalability of the system.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite its success, Tele-Law faces some challenges:
- Digital literacy among rural populations remains low
- Internet connectivity issues in remote areas
- Shortage of panel lawyers in certain states
- Awareness gap – Many people still don’t know about the service
- Follow-up and case tracking sometimes needs better coordination
To overcome these, ongoing training, awareness campaigns, and tech upgrades are crucial.
Impact on Justice Delivery
Tele-Law has revolutionized legal outreach in India by:
- Reducing the burden on courts through pre-litigation resolutions
- Empowering citizens to know and claim their legal rights
- Democratizing access to legal services for all sections of society
- Enhancing legal literacy, especially among women and marginalized groups
It exemplifies how technology and law can work together to create an inclusive justice system.
Conclusion
A miraculous example of digital transformation in social justice in perspective of a large and diversified country like India lies with the implementation of the Tele-Law project. Tele-Law has thus brought the legal system within reach of the millions of people who were deprived of it before by using the scope offered by the CSCs and the professional help provided by lawyers. With the program growing and changing over time, the intention of the message has as yet been evident; justice cannot be a privilege, rather, it must be a right attainable by all citizens irrespective of their location.
