Free/Low Cost Legal Services

Access to justice should never be denied due to financial constraints. In Andhra Pradesh, the legal system ensures that every citizen, regardless of their economic status, can seek legal remedy through various free and affordable legal service programs. Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the following categories of people are entitled to free legal services in Andhra Pradesh:
Automatic Eligibility (No Income Limit)
  • Members of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes
  • All women (regardless of income)
  • All children (persons under 18 years)
  • Persons with disabilities as defined under the Persons with Disabilities Act
  • Victims of trafficking or bonded labor
  • Industrial workers
  • Persons in custody (including protective homes, juvenile homes, psychiatric hospitals, etc.)
  • Victims of mass disasters (floods, earthquakes, ethnic violence, caste atrocities, etc.)
Income-Based Eligibility
  • Persons whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 3,00,000
  • For Supreme Court matters: Annual income up to ₹1,25,000
  • For High Court matters: Annual income up to ₹1,00,000

What Legal Services Are Available for Free?

Legal Consultation & Advisory Services
  • Free legal advice on any matter
  • Guidance on government schemes and entitlements: information about benefits, subsidies, or programs you may be eligible for and how to apply for them
  • Help with legal documentation: Assistance with contracts, agreements, wills, property papers, and other important documents
  • Consumer rights guidance: Help when you've been cheated by businesses, sold defective products, or charged unfairly
  • Property and family law advice: Guidance on property disputes, inheritance issues, divorce, child custody, domestic violence, and marriage-related problems
Financial Support
  • Court fees (Full waiver for eligible persons): You don't have to pay any fees to file cases, submit documents, or appear in court which usually costs thousands of rupees
  • Process fees: The Government covers costs like paying witnesses to testify and officially notifying other parties about your case
  • Document preparation: Lawyers will write all the legal paperwork for you (e.g. complaints, petitions, and appeals), which costs thousands of rupees per document
  • Certified copies: You are guaranteed free, official copies of all court decisions and important papers
  • Translation services - Document translation provided with no additional fees when necessary
Court Representation
  • Assignment of qualified lawyers for all legal proceedings
  • Representation in both civil and criminal cases
  • Appeals and revision petitions: If you lose your case, your lawyer can help you appeal the decision to a higher court or request that the court reconsider its ruling
  • Supreme Court matters for eligible persons: For very important cases, you can get free representation all the way up to India's highest court
Alternative Dispute Resolution
While not necessarily free of cost, the following alternatives allow for a quicker, cheaper legal process than the traditional courtroom:
  • Lok Adalats - Quick settlement of disputes without formal court proceedings
  • Mediation services - Neutral third-party assistance in resolving conflicts
  • Conciliation - Amicable settlement of family and commercial disputes
For more information, go to Structure of Indian Judicial System

How to Apply for Free Legal Services

Step 1: Where to submit
State Level:
Andhra Pradesh State Legal Services Authority
Ground Floor, Interim Judicial Complex, High Court of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati, Nelapadu
Contact: 0863-2372744, aphclsc@gmail.com
District Level:
District Legal Services Authority in your district
Local Level:
Mandal Legal Services Committees in your area
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
  • Identity proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, etc.)
  • Income certificate (if applying under income criteria)
  • Caste certificate (if applicable)
  • Disability certificate (if applicable)
  • Brief description of your legal issue
  • Any relevant documents related to your case
Step 3: Format Application Accordingly
  • Personal details and contact information
  • Category under which you're seeking legal aid
  • Monthly income details
  • Affidavit supporting your eligibility
  • Nature of legal aid required
  • Brief statement of your case

Connect with Our Legal Aid Network

Can't find the right legal assistance? Let us help connect you with the right lawyer or legal aid program.
Fill out the form below to get personalized assistance in accessing legal services in Andhra Pradesh. We will review your case and connect you with appropriate legal aid resources or subsidized legal services