What is a Lok Adalat?

Lok Adalat means “People’s Court” in Hindi and is a non-judicial and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism in India. In simple words, is a way to solve problems without going to regular courts in India. Furthermore, it was established under the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987 and provides a forum for settling disputes amicably, outside the formal court system. Lok Adalats can deal with cases that are waiting in courts or even before they go to court. There are 3 Types of Lok Adalats in India. Read on to learn more about Lok Adalats, its Jurisdiction as well as its Advantages and Disadvantages. 

Jurisdiction of Lok Adalats 

Additionally, they can deal with many types of problems such as:

• Family arguments (about property, money, marriages)
• Cases where banks want to get back money
• Disagreements at work
• Problems with buying land
• Issues related to government money
• Claims for accidents (like car crashes)
• Arguments about electricity bills

However, Lok Adalats cannot solve problems if they involve serious crimes or things that the law does not allow to be settled easily.

Also Read: What is the Difference between Lok Adalat and Permanent Lok Adalat in India?

Advantages of Adalat

In addition, they are better than regular Courts for the following reasons:

• Faster Resolution: The disputes are solved quickly and usually in one meeting. This helps to save time and money as compared to long court cases that go on for years.
• Cost-effective: There are no fees or charges for lawyers needed in Lok Adalat cases.
• Friendly Agreements: The main goal is to find a solution that everyone agrees on. Therefore, this helps build better relationships between people.
• Easy Process: Lok Adalats have simpler rules than other courts, so they are easier to understand and comprehend.
• Official Decisions: The decisions made in Lok Adalats are final and can be enforced, just like court orders that are served.

Also Read: 3 Exceptions to Fundamental Rights in India

Disadvantages of Adalat

While Adalats are helpful, they do also have some disadvantages, such as:

• Not all kinds of cases can be sorted out in People’s Court.
• Moreover, going to an Adalat is your choice, and you can leave whenever you want.
• The people in Lok Adalats might not know as much about complicated legal matters as regular judges.
• In addition, making sure everyone follows the settlement can be tough, unlike with court orders.

Overall, Lok Adalat is a very valuable tool for resolving disputes quickly, efficiently, and amicably. If you have a dispute that falls within its jurisdiction, considering Lok Adalat can be a worthwhile option.

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