Yes, Indian Missions provide initial legal assistance to distressed Indians, but only in the most deserving cases and on a ‘means-tested’ basis, i.e. if the distressed Indian is assessed to be otherwise unable to afford such legal help on his/her own. Such initial legal assistance may include:

• Financial assistance provided to file or to fight a case, but only where the concerned person is not able to meet the expenditure for the purpose.
• Interpreter facility may be provided where language is a barrier.
• Indian Mission may suggest empanelled NGOs, which provide assistance/consultation in litigation process.

No, Indian Missions/Posts do not fight court cases on behalf of Indian nationals. In a few countries, Indian missions have arrangements with empanelled local NGOs to assist overseas Indians for litigation processes. For more details on this, it is advisable to directly contact the Indian mission concerned.

Yes, the Ministry of External Affairs has such a scheme. Please click the link below for details of the scheme: www.mea.gov.in/legal-and-financial-assistance