CLAAS

CLAAS

CENTRE FOR LEGAL AID AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION STUDIES (CLAAS)

The Centre for Legal Aid and Alternative Dispute Resolution Studies (CLAAS) was established in September, 2020 with the objective of providing Legal aid, Creating Legal awareness and promotion of resolution of disputes through Alternative Dispute resolution mechanisms. CLAAS aims to create awareness through publications, seminars, workshops and undertake research projects in collaboration with the industry, Bar Council of India, State Bar Councils and individual experts on issues pertaining to Legal Aid and ADR.

Formerly, the activities of the Centre were carried through the Legal Aid Clinic and ADR Society, respectively. The Legal Aid Clinic has organized various Legal awareness programmes in association with the Legal Services Authority in and around Bangalore Rural and Urban. Socio- legal surveys were also conducted in Adakmaranahalli, Gangawara, Masthenahalli, Kaiwara, Alambagiri, Muluganahalli, Tondebavi, Bagalur and E. Thimmasandra in order to understand the problems of the villagers and efforts were made to facilitate in providing legal assistance through The District and Taluk Legal Services Authority. An in-house legal aid clinic was set up to the employees of the GEF.

The ADR society was established with the objective to bring General awareness of Alternative Dispute Resolution System in its content, context, meaning and purpose and at the same time to promote Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods. The Committee was also instrumental in conducting regular Alternative Dispute Resolution training sessions, a robust combination of theoretical application and practical experience. The ADR Society also encouraged regular participation of the students in ADR competitions, actively involved in organizing guest lectures on ADR processes and mechanisms.

STRUCTURE

1. CLAAS has Two Faculty Coordinators and Two members along with student coordinators.
2. CLAAS Advisory Committee consists of the Director (Academics) and the Principal.
3. The Executive Committee consisting of the faculty coordinators ensure the effective implementation of the activities of the Centre.

COORDINATORS

MEMBERS

OBJECTIVES

1. Provide free Legal Aid
2. Create Legal Awareness
3. Promotion of resolution of disputes through Alternative Dispute resolution mechanisms

FUNCTIONS

1. Create Legal Awareness and render pro-bono services to the underprivileged in association with the Legal Services Authority and Non-Governmental Organizations.
2. To conduct research in the areas of Legal Aid and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and allied matters such as Mediation, Conciliation, Lok Adalats, etc. and to promote/ suggest reforms in the system of settlement of disputes outside the courts by undertaking projects from various government departments and concerned ministries.
3. To organize training programmes in areas of ADR in consultation/ association with academic professionals and members of distinction in the areas of law.
4. To increase the outreach of ADR mechanisms through publication of books, periodicals, reports, newsletter other literature on areas covering ADR.
5. To conduct conferences, seminars and work-shops on issues concerning Legal Aid and ADR.
6. To provide facilities/ services for holding conciliation, mediation and arbitration proceedings.
7. Maintain a panel of competent and qualified arbitrators, conciliators and mediators or those willing to serve in any other specialist capacity such as experts, surveyors and investigators.
8. Maintain a repository of judgments of various High Courts and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India relating to the subject.
9. To conduct Legal aid camps and organize various National/ State level ADR competitions such as Arbitration moots, Client Counselling, Mediation, Negotiations, Essay writing competitions, etc.

MEMBERSHIP

CLAAS proposes and executes the activities of the Centre through its student coordinators and members. The Student membership to the Centre is done on a rotation basis and students are inducted into the Centre on a yearly selection process. The students are selected through their participation in Debate Competitions/Literary Competitions / Interview which are organized on topics related to ‘ADR’ and ‘Legal Aid’. The office bearers are nominated by the faculty members based on their performances in the Club.

Earlier Activities: