LEGAL AID CLINIC 2025-26
Government Law College, Ernakulam
The Legal Aid Club of the Government Law College Ernakulam, being one of the most active legal aid clinics in the state of Kerala, saw its best so far in the academic year of 2025-26. The legal aid club has significantly done its part in the society by engaging in imparting mass legal awareness as well as legal assistance and the like to the general public and, most importantly, the underprivileged sections of the society.
The legal aid club had envisioned a set of five projects: Niyamakiranam, Niyamagothram, Samanwayam, Bhadram, and Sahai. Currently, the club has a total strength of 285 members. Each of the projects was carried out under the guidance and vision of our dedicated faculty coordinators—Dr. Mini S, Dr. Joby Bhaskar, and Dr. Priya R—complemented by the efforts of the student coordinators: Anju Augustine, Ramakrishnan, Ibnu Jaseem T.K., and Lucilla Ann Arooja.
Action Portfolios
- Project Niyamakiranam
The Niyamakiranam Project is focused on imparting legal awareness in schools. The project aims to provide legal knowledge to higher secondary students, preparing them to step out into the world as law-abiding citizens.
The project was inaugurated at SRV Higher Secondary School in the last academic year. Classes were conducted for the 11th and 12th standard students of SRV. We began with the topic—constitutional awareness class—in October, followed by sessions on the topic of the POCSO Act in the subsequent month.
In addition to this, around 24 student volunteers conducted constitutional, POCSO Act, Theft, Cybercrimes, Drug Abuse Prevention, and Anti-Ragging awareness classes in various schools across the district. High school students, higher secondary school students, and the NSS units in schools were actively engaged under this project. Student volunteers interested in taking classes have to follow through the procedure of preparing the presentation and then conducting mock sessions. This helps build rapport and provides training for the student volunteers.
- PROJECT NIYAMAGOTHRAM
The Niyamagothram Project is the most actively conducted initiative of the Clinic. It aims at providing coaching and guidance for law entrance exams like CLAT and KLEE to tribal students. The project is associated with the Gothra Vardhan Project of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Ernakulam. Initiated by our former Legal Aid Club coordinators, Savitha Kannan and Farsana Noushadh, this project has motivated and enabled several tribal children to pursue a degree in law.
As part of the Gothravadan Project, a team visited the Neyramangalam Pre-Metric Girls Hostel to conduct the orientation and inaugural program of the Niyamagothram Project (2026 batch), which provides free LL.B. entrance coaching for students belonging to the ST/SC categories. The program was held on 6 March 2026 at the hostel premises and commenced at 4:00 p.m. Around 20 students from Classes 11 and 12 attended the session.
The event was inaugurated by Smt. Rejitha R.R., Civil Judge and Secretary, DLSA. The program was coordinated by student project coordinators Hiba Basheer and Sanjeev K. The session began with a welcome address by Hiba, followed by a motivational speech by Rejitha Ma’am, who encouraged the students to pursue higher education and consider a career in law. Dr. Mini S. and Dr. Joby Bhaskar, Faculty Coordinators of Legal Aid, Government Law College, Ernakulam, also addressed the students and motivated them to actively participate in the project and take advantage of the opportunities it offers.
Anjumol, a beneficiary of the Niyamagothram Project who is currently studying in the second semester of the five-year B.Com LL.B. program at Bharat Mata School of Legal Studies, shared her academic journey and experiences with the students. A memento was presented to Anjumol by Rejitha Ma’am in recognition of her achievements. The program was attended by student volunteers Agna, Anjana, and Lucilla. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Sanjeev, and the program came to an end at 6:00 p.m.
- PROJECT SAMANWAYAM
Samanwayam is the Legal Aid Project that facilitates the resolution of disputes through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods by coordinating and conducting Lok Adalats. This year, we conducted the Special Lok Adalat, Samanwayam-8, in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Ernakulam, on February 07, 2026, at the Government Law College, Ernakulam Auditorium.
We approached the Ernakulam Regional offices of BSNL, Punjab National Bank, and Dhanalaxmi Bank with requests to identify and submit their customer disputes for resolution and received a total of 589 cases. A total of 179 volunteers assisted with preparatory works, organized into three committees: Sorting and Follow-up, Drafting and Sending Notices, and Program Coordination. The initial phase began in mid-January, with the Sorting and Follow-up Committee contacting respondent parties via call to confirm their addresses and contact details, and to assess their receptiveness toward participating in the Adalat. Following this, the Drafting and Sending Notices Committee dispatched 429 notices by the end of January. From February 2–4, 2026, follow-up calls were made to all recipients to confirm their attendance and clarify any queries.
On the day of the Adalat, the event commenced at 9:30 am with an inaugural program. One of the student project coordinators, Ms. Nirupama C, delivered the welcome address, followed by a presidential address from Associate Professor Mr. Maiyn Aboobacker K.M., representing the Principal-in-Charge Prof. Dr. Bindumol V.C. The event was officially inaugurated by Smt. Rejitha R.R., Secretary of the DLSA and Senior Civil Judge. Felicitations were offered by PTA member Dinesh R. Shenoy and College Union Chairperson Nandan R, in the presence of Presiding Officer Sundaram Govind, retired District Judge, who delivered the Special Address, and TLSC Secretary Mr. Joyson.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Legal Aid Coordinator Mr. Ibnu Jaseem T.K., transitioning the program into the dispute resolution phase. The Adalat proceedings began at 10:00 am with representatives from all three institutions and the parties actively engaging in the proceedings before a single bench allotted by the DLSA, comprising Presiding Officer Sundaram Govind and Advocate Member Christabel D. Avravu. The event witnessed a substantial turnout of 43 attendees; by the end of the session at around 4:00 pm, 20 cases were successfully resolved, totaling a settlement amount of Rs. 7,82,194. Our association with the DLSA continued on February 23 and 24, 2026, during which student volunteers were dispatched to assist in the preparatory phase of the DLSA Adalat as per their institutional requirements.
- PROJECT SAHAI​
The Legal Aid Clinic began actively receiving cases from individuals in need of legal support. This marks a shift from a passive setup to a functional legal service platform, enabling practical exposure for students and providing real assistance to the community.
Digital Infrastructure and Accessibility
A dedicated Google Drive system was established under the Legal Aid Sahayi account to store all project-related files. This ensures organized, secure, and centralized access to documents such as case records, reports, and correspondence. It also reduces dependency on physical files and minimizes data loss risks. All documentation processes are being transitioned to this cloud-based system, allowing multiple coordinators to access, update, and manage records in real time, improving efficiency, collaboration, and transparency in operations.
Outreach and Visibility
Google Maps Registration: The GLCE Legal Aid Clinic was successfully registered on Google Maps, making it publicly visible and accessible. This step improves outreach by allowing individuals to easily locate the clinic, increasing awareness and potential footfall from those seeking legal assistance.
Physical Signage: A new Legal Aid Board was installed at a prominent and highly visible location within the campus. This enhances visibility, informs students and visitors about the availability of legal aid services, and strengthens the institutional presence of the clinic.
Publicity Materials: Banners displaying the Legal Aid helpline number were designed and printed. These banners are intended to be distributed and displayed by various projects and departments to increase public awareness and accessibility of legal assistance services.
- PROJECT BHADRAM
The Bhadram project is a statewide initiative undertaken by the Legal Aid Clinic in association with the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA), the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), and Women’s Legal Services. It aims to empower victims of domestic violence by promoting awareness, enabling early intervention, and addressing the stigma and myths surrounding marriage that often silence victims and perpetuate abuse.
Core Objectives
The project is rooted in the idea of ensuring safety, rehabilitation, and the restoration of dignity for victims of domestic violence. It focuses on educating individuals about their legal rights and the remedies available under the law, thereby encouraging victims to come forward and seek protection.
Target Audience & Implementation
The primary target audience includes members of Kudumbashree Units, Community Development Societies (CDS), and Area Development Societies (ADS) at the Panchayat level. In its later phases, the project also aims to engage Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and Women’s Clubs.
The sessions are designed to help participants identify and report instances of domestic violence. Key topics covered include:
The legal definition and various forms of domestic violence.
The procedure for approaching the courts.
Available legal remedies and protection orders.
How to access free legal aid services.
To ensure effective implementation, a specialized training session was conducted by Adv. Teena Cherian on October 9, 2025. This session focused on sensitizing and equipping Bhadram volunteers to handle these sensitive issues with the necessary care, confidentiality, and responsibility.
CONCLUSION
The Legal Aid Clinic has played a crucial role in promoting legal awareness and providing assistance to the public, while simultaneously creating meaningful learning opportunities for its student volunteers. Active participation in the Clinic enables volunteers to gain practical experience and real-world exposure to legal issues beyond the classroom.
A Model for Legal Service
Through the consistent organization of diverse activities and impactful projects, the Clinic strives to establish itself as a Model Legal Aid Clinic. Its efficient functioning is significantly strengthened by the guidance of Ms. Rejitha Ma’am, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), whose support has been instrumental in its continued progress.
Scope and Impact
At present, the Clinic operates with the dedication of nearly 300 student volunteers managing five active projects. Key highlights of its current operations include:
Professional Development: Several volunteers have been inducted as Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) under the DLSA and TLSA, providing them with direct engagement in grassroots legal aid and deeper insight into societal issues.
Community Reach: The Clinic’s initiatives extend across multiple sections of society, including school students, women, local self-government institutions, and the general public, ensuring wider access to justice.
Empowerment: Efforts in coaching tribal students and conducting community outreach programs empower marginalized groups while enhancing the competence and social awareness of the volunteers.
This dual focus on service and skill development contributes to the formation of socially responsible legal professionals while advancing the broader goal of accessible and inclusive justice.