Relevance: GS-2 (Polity—Legal Aid, ADR)
Source: PIB; Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
Key Takeaways
- Lok Adalats remain India’s most successful Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism.
- Permanent Lok Adalats ensure justice in essential service disputes.
- Technology is expanding reach and efficiency.
Context & Importance
With more than 5 crore pending cases, India needs fast and affordable dispute resolution systems.Lok Adalats—created under the Legal Services Authorities Act,1987—deliver consensus-based, cost-free and speedy justice, especially benefiting vulnerable groups.
How Lok Adalats Work
- Settle pending and pre-litigation disputes through conciliation, not adversarial trials.
- No court fee; refund provided upon settlement.
- Awards are final and enforceable as civil court decrees; no appeal permitted.
- Function at multiple levels: national, state, district, taluk.
- Most effective for: cheque bounce, motor accident claims, family disputes,
bank recovery, property issues.
Permanent Lok Adalats (PLAs)
- Cover public utility services (water, power, telecom, transport).
- Jurisdiction up to ₹1 crore.
- Can decide the case if conciliation fails—unique among ADR forums.
E-Lok Adalats
- Enabled during COVID-19 to allow virtual hearings and wider accessibility.
Performance & Issues
| Strengths | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Mass disposal of cases; decongests judiciary. | Risk of compromised quality in mass settlement drives. |
| Accessible to rural poor, women, farmers and small traders. | Not suitable for complex disputes requiring detailed evidence. |
| Quick, amicable and low-stress resolution builds trust in justice. | Awareness and institutional capacity vary across states. |
Policy Linkages & Governance Relevance
- Supports Article 39A: Free legal aid.
- Complements e-Courts Project and National Legal Services Authority programmes.
- Helps achieve Ease of Living and reduces litigation burden on government
(a major litigant). - Aligns with global principles of access to justice (SDG 16).
Wrap
Lok Adalats transform the justice system by making dispute resolution simpler, faster and more humane.
UPSC Mains Value Box
- Why it matters: Enhances access to justice, reduces pendency,
supports vulnerable communities. - Strengthens trust in state institutions through affordable dispute resolution.
- Challenge: Balancing speed with quality of settlements remains
a governance challenge. - Way Forward: Strengthen training of conciliators, expand digital
Lok Adalats, and ensure better case-screening to avoid forced settlements.
Mains Practice Question
Q. “Evaluate how Lok Adalats contribute to improving access to justice and reducing judicial pendency in India.”
Hints
Introduction: Lok Adalats provide quick, consensual, and cost-free dispute resolution under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Body: By settling large volumes of pending and pre-litigation cases—especially cheque bounce, motor accident claims, and utility disputes—they ease court burden and expand access for poor and rural citizens.
Conclusion: Strengthening conciliator training and digital Lok Adalats can enhance fairness and long-term impact.
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