A very significant function of legal aid is carried out by a Para-Legal Volunteer. Although a paralegal volunteer does not hold the authority to decide upon a dispute, there are several other responsibilities which facilitate the proper functioning of legal aid due to the co-operation extended by paralegal volunteers (PLVs). The responsibilities regarding legal and other assistance of a Para-Legal Volunteer are as follows:

A PLV shall educate people, especially those belonging to weaker sections of the society, in order to make them conscious about their right to live with human dignity, to enjoy all the constitutionally and statutorily guaranteed rights as also the duties and discharge of obligations as per law.

·       Para-Legal Volunteers shall explain the people the nature of their disputes/issues/problems and apprise them that they can approach the Tehsil Legal Service Committee/District Legal Service Authority/High Court Legal Service Committee/State Legal Service Authority/Supreme Court Legal Service Committee in order to get their disputes resolved through these establishments.

·       Para-Legal Volunteers shall constantly keep a watch on transgressions of law or acts of injustice in their area of operation and bring them immediately to the notice of the TLSC through telephonic message or a written communication or in person to enable effective remedial action by the Committee.

·       When the PLV receives information about the arrest of a person in the locality, the PLV shall visit the Police Station and ensure that the arrested person gets legal assistance, if necessary, through the nearest legal services institutions.

·       The PLVs shall also ensure that the victims of crime also get proper care and attention. Efforts shall be made by the PLVs to secure compensation for the victims of crime under the provisions of Section 357-A Cr.P.C.

·       PLVs shall report violations of child rights, child labour, missing children and trafficking of girl children to the nearest legal services institutions or to the child welfare committee. Para-Legal Volunteers shall assist the DLSA/TLSC for organizing legal awareness camps in their area of operation.

·       Para-Legal Volunteers shall generate awareness amongst people about the benefits of settlement of disputes including pre-litigation stage through Lok Adalats, Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.

In addition to the above, if no District ADR Centre has been set up in the District, the legal services institutions shall take steps for organising a suitable ADR mechanism like Lok Adalat, mediation, conciliation etc. in the village itself in coordination with the PLVs.