Lok Adalat disposes of 68,000 cases all over India
National Lok Adalat held all over India disposed of over 68,000 pre-litigation and pending cases. Held by National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the Lok Adalat settled cases pertaining to "recovery suits in which banks, financial institutions, and others participated and were able to arrive at final settlements worth more than Rs.300 crore." The Lok Adalat wasn't held at MP, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
The Legal Services Authorities Act was passed by Parliament in 1987. Under the Act, a National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted to monitor and guide workings of legal services authorities at the District, State, High Court and Supreme Court levels. The Act's purpose was to provide free and competent legal services to weaker sections of society, conduct Lok Adalats and spread legal awareness.
Most cases fought against state
"We know the state is the biggest litigant in the judicial system of this country. Eighty per cent of the litigation is against the state," said Justice Thakur while highlighting the benefits of the Legal Services Authorities Act.
A brief introduction to Lok Adalats
"Lok Adalat" means People's Court. A traditional, amicable way of arbitration, the concept was revived in Gujarat in 1982. The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, gave Lok Adalats a statutory status, making its decisions binding. They are presided over by retired judges, social activists and members of the legal profession, and are held by District, State, High Court, and Supreme Court level legal authorities.
Lok Adalats' role in settlement of cases
In January-September 2015 alone, 1.28 lakh Lok Adalats had settled 57 lakh cases. As of 30 September 2015, 15.14 lakh Lok Adalats had been organized settling 8.25 crore cases, including cases pending in courts and those in pre-litigation stages.
Justice T.S. Thakur to be next CJI
The senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice T.S. Thakur is set to succeed Justice H.L. Dattu as the next Chief Justice of India. Justice Thakur's name was, according to convention, recommended to the Government by CJI Justice Dattu, who is set to retire from his post on 2 December 2015. Justice Thakur will keep his post as CJI till 4 January 2017.
Senior-most Supreme Court judge praises Lok Adalats
The executive chairman of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Justice Thakur, said that Lok Adalats, whose decisions are final and binding, "relieved judiciary of a huge burden of trial, appeals and revisional proceedings." He said that the NALSA Act gave support to poor people fighting against the state. He also sought of public broadcasters All India Radio and Delhi Doordarshan in spreading legal awareness.
Cases worth thousands of crores settled
The National Lok Adalat settled approximately 7.5 lakh pending bank cases, the total settlement value being approximately Rs.3,350 crore. It also settled 3.1 lakh Motor Accident Claims cases settling Rs.915 crore towards compensation payable to the injured/ deceased's heirs.
