Lok Adalat (People’s Court) in India

The term 'Lok Adalat' means 'People’s Court', with 'Lok' standing for 'people' and 'Adalat' meaning court.

In ancient times, disputes were referred to 'panchayats' which were established at the village level. Panchayats used to resolve the dispute through arbitration.

The evolution of the movement called Lok Adalat was a part of the strategy to relieve the heavy burden on the Courts with pending cases and to give relief to the litigants who were in a queue to get justice.

<p>The modern institution of Lok Adalat is presided over by a sitting or retired judicial officer such as the chairman, with usually two other members- a lawyer and a social worker.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A Lok Adalat has jurisdiction to settle any matter pending before any court, as well as matters at pre-litigative stage, i.e., disputes which have not yet been formally instituted in any Court of Law.</p> Signup and view all the answers