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What is Lok Adalat?
Lok Adalat is one of the alternative dispute redressal mechanisms in India. It is a forum where disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/compromised amicably. The Lok Adalat has been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and other legal service institutions conduct Lok Adalat.
Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, Lok Adalat can make awards/decisions, which are deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all the parties concerned. If the parties are not satisfied with the award of the Lok Adalat, there is no provision for an appeal against such an award, however, the parties concerned can initiate litigation by approaching the court of the appropriate jurisdiction by filing a case.
The Lok Adalat system is not only quick, but it is also affordable, as there are no court fees involved. Dispute resolution in the Lok Adalat courts takes place by direct interaction of the Adalat members with the parties concerned. They are required to be manned by a retired or serving judicial officer and one more member, the qualifications for which are prescribed in the Legal Services Authorities Act.
Nature of cases to be referred to Lok Adalat
• Any case pending before any court
• Any dispute which has not been brought before any court and is likely to be filed before the court
Types of Lok Adalats
National Lok Adalat: It is held at regular intervals where on a single day Lok Adalats throughout the country are held, in all the courts rights from the Supreme Court till the Taluk levels, wherein cases in large numbers are disposed off
Permanent Lok Adalat: It is organised under Section 22-B of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. These are set up for the settling of disputes relating to public utility services. Their pecuniary jurisdiction is up to Rs 1 crore.
Mobile Lok Adalat: It is organised in the various parts of the country, which travel from one location to another in order to resolve disputes to facilitate the resolution of disputes through this mechanism
All Lok Adalats function under the aegis of NALSA, which is headed by its executive chairman, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court. The chief justice of India is a Patron-in-Chief of the NALSA.
Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, Lok Adalat can make awards/decisions, which are deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all the parties concerned. If the parties are not satisfied with the award of the Lok Adalat, there is no provision for an appeal against such an award, however, the parties concerned can initiate litigation by approaching the court of the appropriate jurisdiction by filing a case.
The Lok Adalat system is not only quick, but it is also affordable, as there are no court fees involved. Dispute resolution in the Lok Adalat courts takes place by direct interaction of the Adalat members with the parties concerned. They are required to be manned by a retired or serving judicial officer and one more member, the qualifications for which are prescribed in the Legal Services Authorities Act.
Nature of cases to be referred to Lok Adalat
• Any case pending before any court
• Any dispute which has not been brought before any court and is likely to be filed before the court
Types of Lok Adalats
National Lok Adalat: It is held at regular intervals where on a single day Lok Adalats throughout the country are held, in all the courts rights from the Supreme Court till the Taluk levels, wherein cases in large numbers are disposed off
Permanent Lok Adalat: It is organised under Section 22-B of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. These are set up for the settling of disputes relating to public utility services. Their pecuniary jurisdiction is up to Rs 1 crore.
Mobile Lok Adalat: It is organised in the various parts of the country, which travel from one location to another in order to resolve disputes to facilitate the resolution of disputes through this mechanism
All Lok Adalats function under the aegis of NALSA, which is headed by its executive chairman, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court. The chief justice of India is a Patron-in-Chief of the NALSA.
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