In a progressive policy decision, the Government of India has approved a Legal Aid Scheme exclusively designed to support small and micro Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) in managing legal and compliance challenges. The initiative, jointly launched by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the Ministry of Law and Justice, aims to ensure that resource-constrained LLPs have access to affordable legal guidance, dispute resolution, and regulatory assistance, especially in areas like taxation, contract enforcement, and corporate governance.

Under the scheme, eligible LLPs with annual turnover below ₹2 crore or capital contributions under ₹50 lakh will be able to avail subsidized legal services from a government-empaneled panel of professionals. Services covered include drafting of partnership agreements, representation in regulatory forums, assistance in dispute mediation, and guidance on compliance filings like Form 8 and Form 11. The scheme will also provide free legal awareness workshops and online consultations through a centralized digital platform hosted by the MCA.

Industry experts have welcomed the move as a long-overdue step to level the playing field for smaller LLPs, which often lack access to in-house legal teams. Officials have clarified that applications for the scheme can be made via the MCA portal using the LLP’s registered credentials, and a digital tracking system will ensure transparency in service delivery. The Legal Aid Scheme is expected to reduce compliance-related defaults, foster early dispute resolution, and boost overall legal literacy among India’s growing base of small LLPs.