LOK ADALAT

Done By
Shanthi S Legal Department

LOK ADALAT

SHANTHI. S LEGAL DEPARTMENT

PEOPLES COURT Lok Adalat is also known as Peoples Court It is a system of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) This system is an improvement and is based on the principles of Mahatma Gandhi Lok Adalat is the most up-to-date and cheap method of providing justice at peoples doorstep. People too will feel a sense of relief and calm.

HOW DOES LOK ADALAT WORK?

These are usually presided over by retired judges, social activists, or other members of the legal profession. No court fees. If the case is already filed in regular court, the fee paid will be refunded if the dispute is settled at the Lok Adalat. The procedural laws, and the Evidence Act are not strictly followed.

WORKING OF LOK ADALAT

Main condition for referring a case to the Lok Adalat is that both parties in dispute should agree for settlement.

FOCUS

Focus is on compromise. When no compromise is reached, the matter goes back to the court. If a compromise is reached, an amount is fixed and is binding on the parties. This amount will be final and cannot be appealed because it is a judgement by consent.

THE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITIES ACT, 1987

POWERS OF LOK ADALAT (SECTION 22)

Same powers as that of a civil court.

the summoning and enforcing the attendance of any witness and examining him on oath. the discovery and production of any document; the reception of evidence on affidavits;

POWERS OF LOK ADALAT.. contd

such other matters as may be prescribed. the requisitioning of any public record or document or copy of such record or document from any court or office;

ADVANTAGES OF LOK ADALAT

No Court Fee. No strict application of the procedural laws and the Evidence Act. Disputes can be brought before the Lok Adalat directly. Award is final without any appeal. Faster and inexpensive remedy with legal status.

LOK ADALAT IN BANKS

Lok Adalat institutions help banks to settle disputes involving accounts in "doubtful" and "loss" category, with outstanding balance of Rs.5 lakhs for compromise settlement under Lok Adalats. Debt Recovery Tribunals have now been empowered to organize Lok Adalats to decide on cases of NPAs of Rs.10 lakhs and above.