What are the advantages of Public Interest Litigation?

The advantages of Public Interest Litigation are as follows:

• The first and foremost advantage of PIL is access to a National Forum of decision-making and power by those who were until now voiceless and invisible.
• The relaxation of procedural formalities has gone a long way in ensuring that the poor have access to justice.
• The relaxation of the rule of locus standi has resulted in representative action where a person or a group, with a sufficient interest in a particular cause, litigates on behalf of a large number of others who cannot afford the cost of litigation.
• PlL has also given the court an opportunity to address important issues in areas like environmental protection, consumer protection etc., which affect a large number of people.
• The acceptance of even letters and telegrams by the courts, as PILs, reduces the cost of such litigation and also encourages public-spirited individuals and groups to bring to the notice of the court any situation which requires the Court’s interference.
• The appointing of commissions by the courts as fact-finding bodies to check into the allegation made in the petition has established a new mode of proof. These commission reports have formed the basis of the direction of the court in cases complaining of violation of rights.
• The monitoring by the Court of the implementation of the directions at periodic intervals to ensure compliance, enable the vindication of rights in practice. The monitoring function has also often been vested in vigilance bodies with the participation of Social Action Groups.

Further Reading:

• Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India
• Difference Between Articles