National Lok Adalat and the Lok Adalat System

Why in News?

• The 4th National Lok Adalat of 2025 successfully resolved 2.59 crore disputes.
• Between 2022–23 and 2024–25, more than 23.5 crore cases have been disposed of through various Lok Adalats across India.
• This achievement highlights the effectiveness of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism and the central role of Lok Adalats in India’s justice delivery system.

What is Lok Adalat?

• Lok Adalat is a forum where:
• Pending court cases, or
• Disputes at the pre-litigation stage
  are settled through mutual consent and compromise.
• Compared to formal courts, Lok Adalats are:
• Less expensive
• Time-efficient
• Simple and informal
• They bring justice closer to the common citizen.

Constitutional and Legal Basis

1. Article 39A of the Constitution

• Directs the State to:
  • Ensure equal justice, and
  • Provide free legal aid
• Objective:
  No person should be denied justice due to economic or social disabilities.

2. Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987

• Provides the statutory framework for:
  • Establishment of Lok Adalats
  • Creation of:
    • National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
    • State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA)
    • District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA)
    • Taluka Legal Services Committees

Composition of Lok Adalat

A Lok Adalat generally consists of:

• One Judicial Officer (serving or retired)
• One Advocate
• One Social Worker

This ensures a balance of legal expertise, social sensitivity, and humanitarian approach.

Types of Cases Handled

Lok Adalats deal only with compromise-able cases, such as:

• Civil cases – land disputes, money recovery
• Family disputes – divorce, maintenance
• Labour disputes
• Motor Accident Claim cases
• Cheque bounce cases (Section 138, Negotiable Instruments Act)
• Public utility service disputes – electricity, water, telephone bills
• Serious criminal offences (murder, rape, terrorism, etc.) are outside the jurisdiction of Lok Adalats.

Nature of Lok Adalat Awards

• The award of a Lok Adalat:
  • Is final and binding
  • Is not appealable
• It is deemed to be a decree of a civil court.

Key Features of Lok Adalat

• No court fee
• Refund of court fee already paid
• Speedy justice
• Informal and flexible procedure
• Consent of both parties is mandatory

Significance of Lok Adalat

• Reduces the burden of pending cases in courts
• Enhances access to justice for the poor, rural and vulnerable sections
• Promotes amicable and cooperative dispute resolution
• Effectively addresses the problem of delay in justice
• Strengthens social harmony and public trust in the justice system

Types of Lok Adalats

1. National Lok Adalat (NLA)

• Organised multiple times a year
• Conducted simultaneously across the country:
  • From the Supreme Court to Taluka level
• Held on a single day nationwide
• Objective: Mass disposal of cases

2. Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA)

• Deals with disputes related to public utility services, such as:
  • Transport,Postal services,Telegraph,Electricity,Water supply
• Jurisdiction up to ₹1 crore
• Special feature:
  • If settlement fails, PLA has the power to decide the case on merits

3. E-Lok Adalat and Mobile Lok Adalat

• E-Lok Adalat:
  • Conducted through digital platforms
  • Enhances access to justice in remote areas
• Mobile Lok Adalat:
  • Moves from place to place
  • Targets rural and inaccessible regions

Four-Tier Organisational Structure of Lok Adalats