How to Become a Para-Legal Volunteer (PLV)

A para-legal volunteer is trained to provide basic legal aid to communities, especially those that are underprivileged. This program, instituted by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in 2009, responds to the need for advocates for India’s marginalised communities, such as women, children, students, industrial and agricultural labour, victims of natural disasters, members of scheduled castes and tribes, bonded labour, senior citizens, and more. 

Paralegals in some countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada refer to legal professionals who provide clerical, administrative, or other assistance to practising attorneys. In India, interns and students studying to become lawyers perform these roles. Instead, para-legal volunteers are individuals trained in grassroots justice, paying attention to the nuances of the legal and cultural systems at the local level. 

Explore the role of a para-legal volunteer and how to get started in this rewarding work. 

What is a para-legal volunteer? 

As a para-legal volunteer, you act as an intermediary between an area's legal system and services and those needing assistance. You will gain training in mediation and the law and help individuals access services or mediate simple claims before they go before a legal services institution.

As a para-legal volunteer, your day-to-day duties might include:

• Provide education and legal assistance to marginalised communities 

• Suggest mediation so parties with a legal claim can avoid litigation 

• When needed, connect individuals with pro bono lawyers 

• Conduct legal awareness campaigns

• Provide support to victims of domestic violence, other crimes, or natural disasters 

5 tips for getting a job as a para-legal volunteer

You can explore more than one path towards becoming a PLV, and the selection committee prioritises selecting a diverse group of para-legal volunteers to represent any given area. You may have a better chance of getting involved with this program if you consider the following tips:

1. Brush up on the skills you’ll need. 

Understanding the skills you’ll need to succeed as a para-legal volunteer is important. You may need to develop your skills in:

• Communication: You'll communicate daily with individuals who need legal assistance and the legal systems they can access, both verbally and through written correspondence. 

• Comfort with technology: You may use technology to connect villagers and other members of marginalised communities with necessary resources. 

• Multitasking: It's rare for a para-legal to work on one task at a time. You may make several phone calls, research law, and draft a document, all within half an hour. 

• Compassion: You will help individuals when they are most vulnerable and need compassion to navigate those situations. 

• Respect for human rights: Your success as a para-legal volunteer will hinge on your dedication to social justice work and the inherent dignity of all people.

2. Get involved in the community. 

If you want to become a para-legal volunteer, you will need to join an organisation or get involved in social justice in some way first. Para-legal volunteers are accepted if they belong to one of these communities: 

• Teachers (or retired teachers)

• Master’s of Social Work students and teachers

• Law students

• Anganwadi workers

• Doctors or physicians

• Members of service-oriented NGOs

• Senior citizens

• Retired government servants

• Or a similar community with approval by the District Legal Services Authority or Taluk Legal Services Committee

The selection process prioritises volunteers from diverse backgrounds to represent better the multicultural communities they will aid as para-legal volunteers. You can also qualify to become a para-legal if you belong to a group such as Women Neighbourhood Groups, Maithri Sanghams, and other Self Help Groups, including marginalised communities.

3. Expect an honorarium rather than a salary

Although the NALSA authorises an honorarium for PLVs, it is not intended to be a sole source of income for those who need it. Instead, you should seek this position due to your desire to help others and your passion for civil rights. 

4. Learn another language.

As a para-legal volunteer, you will help defend the cultural rights of minorities. You will work with a diverse population. Therefore, fluency in the languages you’re likely to encounter in your area would be helpful in the role. 

5. Obtain certification. 

Each Taluk Legal Services Committee and District Legal Services Authority has a limit to the number of para-legal volunteers they can have at any given time, so be sure to watch out for your local organisation to put out a call for applications. The request will contain information about what kind of candidates they are looking for. You may be called in for an interview if the committee is considering accepting your application. If you are ultimately selected, you will then be able to participate in NASLA-approved training. 

Learn more about human rights on Coursera

Working as a para-legal volunteer can be a rewarding way to advocate for people in your community who have been traditionally marginalised. If you want to learn more about human rights work, consider International Women's Health and Human Rights offered by Stanford University on Coursera. This course can help you explore how to navigate advocacy on topics like children’s rights, women’s rights, and access to education. 

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