LOK ADALAT

Done By

Shanthi S

Legal Department

LOK ADALAT

SHANTHI. SLEGAL DEPARTMENT

PEOPLE’S COURT

• Lok Adalat is also known as “People’s 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.