Legal aid to approved Union at Government expenses in important proceedings

(1) An Approved union entitled to appear under this Act :- (a) before a Labour Court in a proceeding for determining whether a strike, lockout, stoppage, closure or change is illegal; or (b) before the industrial Court in proceeding involving in the opinion of the Court an important question of law or fact; may apply to the Industrial Court for the grant of legal aid at the expenses of the State Government. (2) Where an approved union is a party to any case arising out of the proceedings under this Act, before the High Court or the Supreme Court, it may apply to the Industrial Court for the grant of legal aid at the expense of the State Government for purpose of such case. (3) The Industrial Court may, after obtaining a report from the Registrar on the financial condition of the union, refuse the legal aid or grant it in accordance with rules framed under this Act.