Question

With reference to Lok Adalats, consider the following statements:

1. There is no court fee and if a court fee is already paid the amount will be refunded if the dispute is settled at Lok Adalat.

2. The basic features of Lok Adalat are the procedural flexibility and speedy trial of the disputes.

3. The parties to the dispute can directly interact with the judge through their counsel which is not possible in regular courts of law.

4. The award by the Lok Adalat is not binding on the parties and it has the status of a decree of a civil court.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 1 and 4 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1, 2 and 3 only

The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3 only.

LOK ADALAT - 

• Lok Adalat is a forum where the cases (or disputes) which are pending in a court or which are at pre-litigation stage (not yet brought before a court) are compromised or settled in an amicable manner.
• The Supreme Court has explained the meaning of the institution of Lok Adalat in the following way:
  • The ‘Lok Adalat’ is an old form of adjudicating system prevailed in ancient India and its validity has not been taken away even in the modern days too.
  • The word ‘Lok Adalat’ means ‘People’s Court’.
  • This system is based on Gandhian principles.
  • It is one of the components of the ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) system.
• The first Lok Adalat camp in the post-independence era was organized in Gujarat in 1982.
• The institution of Lok Adalat has been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

Benefits

• According to the Supreme Court, the benefits under Lok Adalat are as follows:
  • There is no court fee and if court fee is already paid the amount will be refunded if the dispute is settled at Lok Adalat. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The basic features of Lok Adalat are the procedural flexibility and speedy trial of the disputes. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • There is no strict application of procedural laws like the Civil Procedure Code and the Evidence Act while assessing the claim by Lok Adalat.
  • The parties to the dispute can directly interact with the judge through their counsel which is not possible in regular courts of law. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • The award by the Lok Adalat is binding on the parties and it has the status of a decree of a civil court and it is non-appealable, which does not cause the delay in the settlement of disputes finally. Hence, statement 4 is NOT correct.