LOK ADALAT

As per the mandate of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Assam State Legal Services Authority (ASLSA) organized the National Lok Adalat along with the rest of the country 0n 8th March in coordination with the Gauhati High Court Legal Services Committee, 33 District Legal Services Authorities and two Taluk Legal Services Committees.

  • Lok Adalat is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism in India.
  • It is a forum where disputes are settled amicably, either pre-litigation or while pending in court.
  • Has statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

Key Features

  • No Court Fee: No fee is required to file a case in Lok Adalat.
  • Binding Nature: The award (decision) is final and binding, equivalent to a civil court decree.
  • No Appeal: No provision for appeal; dissatisfied parties can approach the appropriate court afresh.
  • Conciliatory Role: Lok Adalat members assist parties in reaching a compromise but cannot force

Every Lok Adalat shall consist of such number of serving or retired judicial officers and other persons of the area as may be specified by the agency organizing. Generally, a Lok Adalat consists of a judicial officer as the chairman and a lawyer (advocate) and a social worker as members.

Types of Cases Handled

  • Pending court cases
  • Pre-litigation disputes (likely to be filed in court)
  • Not applicable for: Divorce cases and non-compoundable criminal offences.

Jurisdiction & Levels of Lok Adalats

  • State Level: Bench includes a High Court judge, legal professional, and social worker.
  • High Court Level: Led by a High Court judge, with similar members.
  • District Level: Led by a judicial officer, along with legal professionals/social workers.
  • Taluk Level: Similar structure as the district level.

Types of Lok Adalats

  • National Lok Adalat
    • Held regularly across all courts in India.
    • Each month, focuses on specific subject matters.
  • Permanent Lok Adalat

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, was amended in 2002 to provide for the establishment of the Permanent Lok Adalats.

    • Deals with Public Utility Services (e.g., transport, postal, telecom).
    • Even if parties fail to settle, it has the power to decide the dispute.
    • Jurisdiction: Up to ₹1 crore.
  • Mobile Lok Adalat
    • Moves across different locations to settle disputes efficiently.

Procedure for Referral to Lok Adalat

  • For pending cases: Courts can refer disputes.
  • For pre-litigation disputes: A party can apply to the State/District Legal Services Authority, which then issues a notice to the other party.

Significance of Lok Adalats

  • Speeds up justice by reducing case backlogs.
  • Reduces litigation costs for citizens.
  • Encourages amicable settlements for minor disputes.

This mechanism plays a crucial role in reducing judicial burden and providing accessible justice to all.

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