Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud announced the launch of a Special Lok Adalat from July 29 to August 3 as part of the Supreme Court’s 75th anniversary celebrations. Emphasizing the backlog of cases, he urged citizens to participate in the informal, technology-driven initiative for effective resolution.
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NEW DELHI: To address the mounting backlog of cases, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud announced the launch of Special Lok Adalats. Scheduled to run from July 29 to August 3, these Lok Adalats are a part of a series of activities commemorating the 75th year of the Supreme Court‘s establishment.
In his announcement, CJI Chandrachud expressed deep concern about the extensive backlog of cases in the judiciary.
He stated-
“Between July 29th and August 3rd, the Supreme Court will host a Special Lok Adalat as part of its initiatives marking the 75th anniversary of its establishment.”
He emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that it provides an informal and technology-based solution to resolving cases efficiently.
“Most importantly,as judges committed to the cause of justice, we are deeply concerned about the significant backlog of cases. The Lok Adalat offers a highly effective, informal, and technology-driven approach to resolving cases, ensuring complete satisfaction for our citizens.”
– the CJI added.
CJI Chandrachud made a heartfelt appeal to citizens, lawyers, and advocates to take full advantage of this opportunity to expedite case resolutions.
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He said-
“Hence, speaking on behalf of all my colleagues and the Supreme Court staff, I urge all citizens with pending cases, as well as the lawyers and advocates involved, to seize this opportunity. Let us work together to resolve these cases swiftly and in a manner that satisfies all parties involved.”
The initiative of Lok Adalats is designed to offer a more accessible and speedy justice delivery mechanism. By leveraging technology and informal processes, the Supreme Court aims to reduce the burden on the formal judicial system and provide satisfactory resolutions to the litigants. This approach not only accelerates the resolution process but also ensures that justice is served in a manner that is agreeable to all parties involved.
The Lok Adalat is an innovative alternative dispute redressal mechanism in India, serving as a forum where disputes pending in court or at the pre-litigation stage can be amicably settled or compromised. This system is designed to alleviate the burden on traditional courts by providing a platform for the resolution of disputes in a swift and efficient manner.
Lok Adalats have been accorded statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. The significance of this Act lies in the fact that the award (judgment) rendered by Lok Adalats is considered equivalent to a decree of a civil court. This implies that such awards are final and binding on all parties involved. Importantly, no appeal lies against such an award in any court. As per the Act, “the award given by Lok Adalats is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all the parties.” This provision ensures that once a dispute is settled in a Lok Adalat, it reaches a conclusive end.
However, if any party is dissatisfied with the decision of the Lok Adalat, they retain the right to litigate. Although there is no provision for an appeal against the decision of a Lok Adalat, parties can initiate litigation by filing a case in the appropriate jurisdictional court, following the required procedures. This dual mechanism ensures that parties have access to both amicable settlement and traditional litigation.
Benefits of Special Lok Adalat
The Special Lok Adalat offers numerous benefits, making it an attractive option for dispute resolution. One of the primary advantages is the speedy compromise and settlement of disputes. This not only saves time for the parties involved but also reduces the backlog of cases in traditional courts. Another significant benefit is that the awards given by Lok Adalats are final and executable, ensuring that the resolution is definitive and can be enforced immediately.
Moreover, the Lok Adalat system is cost-effective. The resolution of disputes through Lok Adalats generally incurs lower costs compared to traditional litigation. Additionally, in many cases, there is a refund of court fees, which further reduces the financial burden on the parties. This cost-effectiveness makes Lok Adalats an appealing option for those seeking justice without the high expenses associated with regular court proceedings.
Disputes Handled by Lok Adalats
Lok Adalats handle a wide range of disputes, making them versatile in their applicability. Matters involving elements of settlement relating to matrimonial and property disputes, motor accident claims, land acquisition, compensation, service, and labour are commonly addressed. These cases, which are often pending before the Supreme Court or other courts, are taken up to facilitate speedy settlement.
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In matrimonial disputes, for instance, Lok Adalats provide a platform for parties to reach a mutual agreement, which can be particularly beneficial in sensitive cases requiring a considerate and timely resolution. Similarly, property disputes, which often involve lengthy litigation processes, can be settled more efficiently in a Lok Adalat.
Motor accident claims, another significant category, benefit from the Lok Adalat system’s ability to provide quick settlements, ensuring that victims receive compensation without undue delay. Land acquisition and compensation cases, which are typically complex and time-consuming, also see expedited resolution through Lok Adalats. Service and labour disputes, involving employee-employer conflicts or service-related issues, are similarly resolved in a manner that is both fair and speedy.
