A total of 168 cases worth INR 5,39,97,434 were settled during the National Lok Adalat held in all the district headquarters on February 11. The settlement amount included the fine money, bank recovery money, motor accident claim compensation money etc., among the disposed cases.
An update from the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) informed that eleven Lok Adalat sitting benches were constituted in all the district headquarters. The sittings were headed by the district judges, chief judicial magistrate and civil judges as presiding officers and were assisted by the panel lawyers serving as conciliators along with the para-legal volunteers as members and facilitators.
It stated that out of the total 237 cases listed before the Lok Adalat sitting bench, only 168 were settled and disposed.
It mentioned that Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Under the Act, the award (decision) made by the Lok Adalats is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no further appeal against such an award lies before any court of law.
It stated that Lok Adalat resolves and settles disputes by methods of direct talks between the litigants or parties amicably. The system of Lok Adalat is affordable and justice delivery is quick and effective. The Lok Adalat mechanism achieve its outcome with certain elements involved such as participation, fairness, expectations, voluntariness, neighborliness, transparency and lack of animosity, the report stated.
It stated that NSLSA is the implementing nodal agency vested with the jurisdiction to organise and conduct National Lok Adalat (Peoples’ Court) under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
It added that National Lok Adalat is held at regular intervals throughout the country and the state legal services authorities act as the implementing agency, which has benefited the citizens with the privilege of settling their disputes at free of cost.
Meanwhile, it informed that the next National Lok Adalat has been scheduled on May 13 next. Citizens are informed to contact the NSLSA or approach the respective district legal services authority, which are attached to the district court building in every district or contact the concerned court for listing matters/ dispute in the next National Lok Adalat.