Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant has nominated Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna as the Chairperson of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) with effect from June 29, 2026.
The nomination has been made in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Justice Nagarathna succeeds Justice JK Maheshwari, who demitted office upon his retirement from the Supreme Court. In accordance with the established convention, the third senior-most judge of the Supreme Court serves as the Chairperson of the SCLSC.
The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee is a statutory body constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to provide free and competent legal services to eligible persons and weaker sections of society in matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. The Committee plays a key role in ensuring access to justice by facilitating legal representation for litigants who are unable to afford counsel.
Apart from scrutinising applications seeking legal aid, the SCLSC appoints legal services counsel for eligible beneficiaries in deserving cases and processes requests for legal assistance before the apex court. The Committee comprises a sitting judge of the Supreme Court as its Chairperson along with nine members nominated by the Chief Justice of India.
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