Raise a concern about an assigned legal-aid lawyer

Find the appointment letter, legal-aid application reference or message naming the lawyer and institution. Keep the case number and next hearing date if available. NALSA FAQ 57 describes a copy of the appointment letter being sent to the applicant; if you do not have it, ask the appointing office for the assignment details.

List brief, dated facts: contact attempts, a missing case update, a document you need explained or another concern about the service. Keep relevant messages and papers. State the help sought, such as a call, status explanation or consideration of another advocate. Avoid treating an unanswered call as proof of misconduct.

Where appropriate, ask the assigned lawyer: “Please confirm the case status, next date and what I need to do or provide.” If contact remains difficult, give the appointing institution the case reference, next date and your contact attempts. Ask who can address the immediate communication problem.

Select Open Bihar legal-aid contacts and match the institution that appointed your lawyer. NALSA FAQ 15 describes feedback through LSMS, email, post or an office visit. Ask the appointing institution which channel to use for your concern or request for a different advocate. A change of advocate requires the institution’s decision.

Keep the complaint/request copy, date and any reference. Ask for acknowledgment, who will respond and how to follow up. Ask specifically how the next hearing and document handover should be handled while the request is considered. Do not assume a complaint cancels the existing assignment or a hearing.

Select Open legal-services contact guidance and read NALSA FAQ 61 for complaints about legal-services institutions. It directs DLSA/Taluka committee or High Court committee complaints to the State Authority’s Member Secretary, and State Authority complaints to NALSA’s Member Secretary. Check that this matches your concern; it does not promise a lawyer replacement. Confirm the current recipient before sending.