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The Lok Adalat is a platform where cases or disputes, whether pending in a Court or at the pre-litigation stage, are resolved through amicable compromises. In contrast, the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987 was amended in the year 2002, hence paving the way for the establishment of Permanent Lok Adalats (PLA) tasked with addressing matters related to public utility services. Furthermore, both the Adalats are Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms that aim to resolve disputes outside of court. Read on to learn in detail about the Difference between Lok Adalat and Permanent Lok Adalat in India.
Meaning of Lok Adalat
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Lok Adalat means “People’s Court” in India. It is a system where legal disputes are resolved peacefully and quickly, outside the formal courtrooms. A Lok Adalat is made up of a panel that includes judges, legal experts, and senior officers who work together to settle disputes in a friendly and informal way.
The main goal of Lok Adalat is to provide justice that is quick, affordable, and easily accessible, especially for those who cannot afford long and costly court cases.
Important Features of Lok Adalat:
- Voluntary Participation: Both parties involved in the dispute must agree to take part in the Lok Adalat. If they do not agree, the matter cannot be taken up there.
- Simple and Informal Process: Unlike regular courts, Lok Adalat does not follow strict legal rules and procedures. The focus is on open discussion and mutual understanding to solve the issue.
- Speedy Resolution: Cases are solved much faster compared to regular courts. Many disputes are settled on the same day.
- Low or No Cost: Lok Adalats do not charge court fees. If the case was already filed in a regular court, the fee paid is refunded when the case is settled in the Lok Adalat.
- Binding Decisions: The decision made by a Lok Adalat is final and legally binding. It is treated like a decree of a civil court and must be followed by both parties. There is no further appeal allowed.
- Access to Justice for All: Lok Adalats are especially helpful for poor, rural, or illiterate people who may find regular courts confusing or expensive. They are often organized in villages and small towns to reach people in remote areas.
- Types of Cases Handled: Lok Adalats take up civil cases, family disputes, motor accident claims, and compoundable criminal cases. They do not deal with serious criminal cases that cannot be settled outside court.
Lok Adalats aim to reduce the burden on regular courts and promote harmony by helping people settle their differences peacefully. They are an important part of India’s effort to ensure “justice for all” in a fair, fast, and cost-effective manner.
Meaning of Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA)
Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) is a permanent body under the Lok Adalat system, created to deal with disputes related to public utility services. These services include essential ones such as water supply, electricity, transport, postal services, and communication networks. Unlike regular Lok Adalats, PLAs work all year round and are set up under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. The main aim of PLAs is to provide quick, affordable, and efficient solutions to issues related to essential public services.
Important Features of Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA):
- Continuous Functioning: Unlike regular Lok Adalats, which are held occasionally, PLAs operate on a regular basis throughout the year with scheduled hearing sessions.
- Deals with Public Utility Services Only: PLAs are meant exclusively for cases related to public utility services like electricity, water, transport, postal, and telecommunication services.
- Expert Panel Members: Each PLA consists of a bench led by a judicial officer (usually a retired judge), along with two other members who are experts in law and the concerned public service field.
- Pre-Litigation Settlement: PLAs handle disputes even before they are formally taken to court. They aim to resolve cases at an early stage, saving time and expenses for both parties.
- Binding Decisions: If a settlement is reached in a PLA, its decision is treated as a decree of a civil court. It is final and binding, and there is no further appeal allowed against it.
- Involves Both Parties: In some cases, consumers can file complaints directly, while service providers (such as electricity boards or transport authorities) also take part voluntarily or as required by law.
- Promotes Consumer Rights: PLAs provide a legal forum for common people to raise issues about poor or interrupted public services. It is especially helpful for people who cannot afford long legal battles.
PLAs are a valuable tool to ensure justice in matters affecting daily life. By resolving disputes related to essential services in a fair, quick, and cost-effective way, they support the principle of “Justice for All”, especially for the poor and underserved.
Difference between Lok Adalat and Permanent Lok Adalat
Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats (PLAs) are both alternative dispute resolution forums in India that help people solve their legal problems quickly and affordably without going through long court trials. However, they differ in their purpose, procedure, and the types of cases they handle. The table below explains their differences clearly:
| Point of Difference | Lok Adalat | Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) |
| Meaning | Informal “People’s Court” to settle disputes quickly and amicably. | Permanent body to settle disputes related only to public utility services like water, electricity, transport, etc. |
| Purpose | To resolve civil and compoundable criminal cases amicably and reduce court burden. | To resolve public utility service disputes efficiently and continuously throughout the year. |
| Operation | Held occasionally, usually once every few months or on special days (e.g., National Lok Adalat). | Operates continuously, holding regular sessions throughout the year. |
| Types of Cases | Civil cases, family disputes, motor accident claims, compoundable criminal cases. | Only disputes related to public utility services such as electricity, water, transport, postal, and telecom. |
| Panel Composition | Usually a retired or sitting judge with legal experts. | Judicial officer plus two experts — one in law and one in the concerned public utility field. |
| Procedure | Informal and simple; no strict adherence to procedural laws; focus on mutual agreement and settlement. | Pre-litigation conciliation and settlement; if no settlement, PLA can pass a binding order on the dispute. |
| Monetary Limit | No fixed monetary limit; can handle cases of any amount if both parties agree. | Monetary limit up to Rs. 1 crore (100 lakhs) for disputes related to public utility services. |
| Binding Nature of Award | Awards are final, binding, and have the status of a civil court decree. | Orders are final, binding, and enforceable as a civil court decree; no appeal lies except in regular courts. |
| Cost | Minimal or no fees; court fees paid in regular courts are refunded if case is settled here. | No court fees; accessible for consumers and service providers to encourage speedy dispute resolution. |
| Participation | Both parties must voluntarily agree to use Lok Adalat. | Consumers can approach PLA; service providers participate voluntarily or as mandated by law. |
| Consumer Protection | Provides a forum for consumers to settle disputes with service providers. | Focuses on consumer complaints and disputes in public utility services. |
| Appeal | No appeal against Lok Adalat award, except through regular courts in separate suits. | No appeal allowed against PLA orders; regular courts only for challenge on jurisdiction or procedural grounds. |
| Objective | To provide quick, affordable, and amicable justice for a wide range of disputes. | To provide specialized, speedy, and effective resolution of public utility service disputes. |
Important Points to Remember: Difference between Lok Adalat and Permanent Lok Adalat
Here are some important points to remember about the difference between Lok Adalat and PLA:
- Lok Adalat means “People’s Court” that settles many types of disputes quickly and without formal court procedures.
- Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) is a special, permanent body that deals only with disputes related to public utility services like electricity, water, transport, and communication.
- Lok Adalats are held occasionally, like on special days or a few times a year, but PLAs work continuously all year round.
- Lok Adalat can handle a wide range of cases — civil, family disputes, minor criminal cases, and motor accident claims.
- PLA handles only cases related to public utility services such as electricity bills, water supply problems, transport issues, and telecom complaints.
- Both Lok Adalat and PLA decisions are final and binding with the same power as a court’s order.
- Lok Adalat’s process is informal and simple, focusing on mutual agreement between parties.
- PLA follows a process where if parties do not agree, the PLA itself can give a final binding decision.
- There is no fixed money limit for cases in Lok Adalat, but PLA handles cases only if the dispute amount is up to Rs. 1 crore (100 lakhs).
- No court fees are charged in either Lok Adalat or PLA, making them affordable options for justice.
- Parties must agree voluntarily to settle their dispute in Lok Adalat.
- In PLA, consumers can approach it for public service issues even if the service provider does not agree voluntarily.
- There is no appeal against the awards or decisions made by Lok Adalat and PLA, but parties can approach regular courts separately if needed.
- In 2025, over 17 lakh cases were resolved through National Lok Adalats in states like Jharkhand, showing the effectiveness of this system.
- The government is expanding PLA in many states to improve access to justice for public utility disputes, with Haryana sanctioning 15 new PLAs recently.
FAQs
Lok Adalat is a temporary “People’s Court” that helps settle many types of disputes quickly and informally, with both parties agreeing to the process. Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA), on the other hand, is a permanent body that works throughout the year and deals only with disputes related to public utility services like water, electricity, and transport. While Lok Adalat focuses on mutual agreement, PLA can give a final decision if no settlement is reached.
There are two types of Lok Adalat: Regular Lok Adalat and Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA). Regular Lok Adalats are organized occasionally to help settle various civil and minor criminal cases quickly and without formal court procedures. Permanent Lok Adalats, on the other hand, are set up to work all year round and handle disputes related only to public utility services like electricity, water, and transport.
The maximum amount for cases handled by a Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) is Rs. 1 crore (100 lakhs). This means PLA can resolve disputes related to public utility services if the claim or issue is up to this amount.
The purpose of the Permanent Lok Adalat is to provide a fast and easy way to resolve disputes related to public utility services like electricity, water, transport, and communication. It helps people solve their problems without going through long court cases, making justice more accessible and affordable, especially for everyday service issues.
The Central Authority or the State Authority, depending on the situation, appoints the members of the Permanent Lok Adalat. The Central Government will set the rules and conditions for appointing the Chairman and other members involved.
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