Question

What is meant by a lok adalat? How do the lok adalats function?

Answer 1

A Lok Adalat is considered as one of the substitute dispute redressal mechanisms. National Legal Services Authority organisation in parallel with other Legal Services Institutions conducts Lok Adalats. It is a forum where cases or disputes incomplete in the court of law are compromised and conducted cordially. The Lok Adalats are mainly formed to fulfil the promise and assurance given by the preamble of the Indian Constitution– securing Justice – social, economic and political of every citizen of India.

Functioning of Lok Adalat

• The Lok Adalat comprises of chairman, two members, and one social worker.
• The chairman must and should be a sitting or retired judicial officer.
• The other two members of the Lok Adalat committee should be a lawyer
• The Chairman and the Members of Permanent Lok Adalat guide the parties to resolve the dispute.
• The Lok Adalat does not decide the dispute so mentioned at its own instance, rather the same would be decided on the basis of the compromise between the parties.
• The members shall oblige the parties in a sovereign and impartial manner in their attempt to reach a cordial settlement of their dispute.
• There is no payable fee amount to the court when a dispute is filed in a Lok Adalat.
• If a dispute remains pending in the court of law that is referred to the Lok Adalat and is settled later, the court fee originally paid in the court on the petition is also reimbursed back to the parties.