Quiz on Lok Adalat

The Act is Act 39 of 1987. It came into force later, on 9 November 1995.

The Act was enacted in 1987 but commenced on 9 November 1995. Do not confuse enactment and commencement.

Article 39A directs the State to provide free legal aid and promote equal justice. It is a Directive Principle of State Policy.

Section 3 provides for constitution of NALSA, which frames policies and principles for legal services under the Act.

The Chief Justice of India is NALSA‘s Patron-in-Chief. The Executive Chairman is a Supreme Court judge nominated under the Act.

Section 6 deals with State Legal Services Authorities and their legal services functions in the State.

Section 9 provides for constitution of District Legal Services Authorities.

Section 11A provides for Taluk Legal Services Committees, which coordinate local legal services and Lok Adalat activity.

Section 12 includes women and children, as well as several other specified categories. Eligibility remains subject to the Act and applicable rules.

Section 12 lists categories; Section 13 addresses entitlement subject to the authority being satisfied that a prima facie case exists.

Section 13 requires the authority to be satisfied that the eligible person has a prima facie case to prosecute or defend.

Section 15 deals with the National Legal Aid Fund; Sections 16 and 17 concern State and District Legal Aid Funds.

Section 19 deals with organisation; Section 20 addresses cognizance/referral, and Section 21 deals with awards.

Ordinary Lok Adalats may handle pending cases and eligible pre-litigation disputes within jurisdiction, subject to statutory exclusions.

No. Ordinary Lok Adalats cannot settle matters relating to offences that are non-compoundable under law.

Section 19 excludes matters relating to divorce from ordinary Lok Adalat jurisdiction.

Section 20 permits referral in specified circumstances, including where settlement is agreed or the court considers referral appropriate after giving parties an opportunity to be heard.

An ordinary Lok Adalat cannot impose a merits decision when settlement fails. Parties may pursue the appropriate court or forum.

Section 21 treats an award as a decree of a civil court or, as applicable, an order of another court.

No appeal lies against a Lok Adalat award under the Act. Constitutional judicial review on recognised grounds is a separate matter, not an ordinary appeal.

Section 21 provides for refund of court fee paid in a case referred to Lok Adalat and settled, as prescribed by applicable law.

No court fee is payable to file a matter directly in Lok Adalat. Court fee paid in a pending case settled there is refundable under Section 21.

Members facilitate voluntary compromise as conciliators. They must not coerce parties, and ordinary Lok Adalat cannot decide merits when settlement fails.

Section 22B provides for Permanent Lok Adalats for specified public utility services and areas.

It consists of a qualifying judicial Chairman and two other persons with adequate experience in public utility services, appointed under the Act.

They provide pre-litigation conciliation and settlement for public utility services defined in Section 22A, including specified transport, postal, telephone, power, water, sanitation, hospital and insurance services, plus notified services.

Section 22A contains definitions, including public utility service. Sections 22B–22E cover establishment, cognizance, procedure and awards.

Section 22C allows an application before the dispute is brought before any court. After filing, parties cannot invoke a court‘s jurisdiction in the same dispute as provided by the section.

Section 22C excludes matters relating to offences that are not compoundable under law.

NALSA‘s current Permanent Lok Adalat page states ₹1 crore. Older sources may show ₹10 lakh; the Act allows the Central Government to increase the statutory limit by notification. Check current official material for exam updates.

Section 22C(8) allows a Permanent Lok Adalat to decide the dispute on merits if settlement fails, provided the dispute is within jurisdiction and not excluded by law.

Section 22C(2) says no party to the application shall invoke a court‘s jurisdiction in the same dispute after the application is made.

Section 22D specifies natural justice, objectivity, fair play, equity and other principles of justice.

Section 22D says a Permanent Lok Adalat is not bound by the CPC or Indian Evidence Act; it follows the principles listed in the section.

The award is final and binding, is deemed a civil court decree and is executable as such. Section 22E restricts challenges through an original suit or similar proceeding.

NALSA‘s FAQ states that the award is made by majority of the persons constituting the Permanent Lok Adalat.

An ordinary Lok Adalat depends on compromise and cannot impose a merits decision if settlement fails. A Permanent Lok Adalat deals with eligible public utility service disputes and may decide on merits after failed conciliation.

NALSA‘s FAQ states there is no requirement to affix court fee to an application before a Permanent Lok Adalat for public utility services.

A qualifying dispute about deficiency in an eligible public utility service, such as electricity, may be considered, subject to subject-matter, stage and monetary limits.

A party may apply to the relevant Legal Services Authority or Committee for referral of a pre-litigation matter; notice may then be issued to the other party.

National Lok Adalats are held on pre-fixed dates; mobile Lok Adalats travel between locations to improve access. Permanent Lok Adalats are a distinct mechanism.

Section 25 provides for the Act‘s overriding effect.

Section 23 addresses public-servant status of members and staff for the purposes of the Act.

Section 24 provides protection for action taken in good faith. Section 25 deals with overriding effect.

Section 16 addresses the State Legal Aid Fund; Sections 15 and 17 cover National and District Legal Aid Funds.

Section 17 provides for the District Legal Aid Fund.

Ordinary Lok Adalats may settle compoundable criminal cases, but not offences that are non-compoundable under law.

The Permanent Lok Adalat directs parties to file written statements about facts, issues and grounds, with relevant documents or evidence, before conducting conciliation.

Each party must cooperate in good faith and comply with directions to produce evidence and related documents.

No. Members must facilitate settlement impartially and must not pressure or coerce a party. An ordinary Lok Adalat is settlement-based.

National Lok Adalats are held simultaneously across courts at different levels on pre-fixed dates to settle large numbers of eligible disputes.