Lok Adalat is one of the alternative dispute redressal mechanisms, as per section 89 CPC and has been given statutory status by the Legal Services Authorities Act
- Nature of Cases to be referred to Lok Adalat - compoundable
- Final award: The decision made by the Lok Adalats is considered to be a verdict of a civil court and is ultimate and binding on all parties.
- No appeal: There is no provision for an appeal against the verdict made by Lok Adalat.
- Court fee: There is no court fee payable when a matter is filed in a Lok Adalat. If a matter pending in the court of law is referred to the Lok Adalat and is settled subsequently, the court fee originally paid in the court on the complaints/petition is also refunded back to the parties.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana, Judge of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and the Executive Chairman of NALSA said that “We have to learn and embrace new ways for the betterment of the society. The pandemic has brought about new and immediate challenges for the justice delivery system. Judges in various courts across the country are working through video conferencing to make justice accessible to all. This well-organized digital solution in the form of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), a combination of technology and ADR, will give a new momentum to Lok Adalats in India”
Chhattisgarh High Court and the State Legal Services Authority organized the country’s first ever E-Lok Adalat on July 11, 2020. 2,270 cases were settled in a single day through virtual mode | Aug 8, 2020 Delhi Legal Service Authority organised E-Lok Adalat, cases pertaining to Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) disputes, civil recovery matters, cases of Electricity Act were taken up 5,838 cases were disposed of | Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority in August settled 33,476 cases through E Lok Adalat | The E-Lok Adalat held on the directions of J&K State Legal Services Authority, exclusively through different digital platforms, 4,273 cases were disposed of by 110 benches on | The Haryana State Legal Services Authority held an e- Lok Adalat on August 29 In Gurugram, eight benches have been constituted for the virtual hearing of at least 525 cases, pertaining to civil, criminal, negotiable instruments (bank cheques), and traffic challan matters | Madhya Pradesh has also successfully held an E Lok Adalat | Legal Services Authority Odisha organized ELok and disposed of 2,061 cases | The Karnataka High decided to hold e-Lok Adalat to clear pending cases and ensure amicable settlement with the consent of the parties particularly motor accident and matrimonial, and others where petitioners are seeking compensation were pending before the Lok Adalat |
Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana, Judge of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and the Executive Chairman of NALSA said that “We have to ensure the e-Lok Adalat remains the ‘People’s Lok Adalat’, and take it to other parts of the country.”
