Lokadalat Mechanism

Lok Adalat is one of the modes of Alternative Dispute Resolution. The Lok Adalat is popularized throughout the State for the past several years. The public, Advocates and all the concerned are coming forward with enthusiasm to avail the Lok Adalat Mechanism for settlement of their cases. The Lok Adalat Mechanism is available throughout the State through the Legal Services Authorities / Committees for amicable settlement of cases.

Lok Adalat Benches consisting of Judicial Officers, Advocates and social workers deal with cases referred to them and help the parties in arriving at a settlement. The Lok Adalats shall have jurisdiction to determine and to arrive at a compromise or settlement between the parties to a dispute in respect of any case pending before any Court or any matter which is falling within the jurisdiction of any Court and is not brought before such Court that is pre-litigation. That means the lok Adalats can deal with the cases pending before any Court and referred to the Lok Adalat. Lok Adalats can also deal with the disputes at pre-litigation stage. In respect of cases pending before Courts, such cases can be referred to Lok Adalat if the parties thereof agree or one of the parties thereof makes an application to the Court or the Court is satisfied that the matter is an appropriate one to be taken cognizance of by the Lok Adalat. The Lok Adalats can deal with all Civil Cases, Matrimonial Disputes, Land Disputes, Partition/Property Disputes, Labour Disputes etc., and compoundable criminal Cases.

The Plaintiff/Petitioner is entitled to get refund of Court Fee that has been paid by him at the time of filing a Suit before a Court and that suit has been settled before the Lok Adalat. The parties who wish to avail the Lok Adalat Mechanism can simply approach the Court concerned or any of the Legal Services Institution. No fee is required to be paid by the parties to settle their cases before Lok Adalat.