Scope of Lok Adalat
Lok Adalat, which means "People's Court," is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism provided under the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987. It aims to provide speedy and cost-effective justice to the litigants. Lok Adalat has a broad scope and covers various types of cases, including civil, criminal, matrimonial, and compoundable offenses.
The scope of Lok Adalat includes:
Civil Cases:
Lok Adalat has the authority to settle civil disputes, such as property disputes, partition suits, landlord-tenant disputes, contract disputes, and other civil matters. The parties involved in the dispute can approach the Lok Adalat to resolve their issues through conciliation or compromise.
Matrimonial Cases:
Lok Adalat handles matrimonial disputes, including divorce, child custody, alimony, and maintenance cases. The Lok Adalat provides a platform for the parties to discuss their issues and arrive at a mutually acceptable solution with the assistance of legal professionals.
Criminal Cases:
Lok Adalat deals with certain types of criminal cases that are compoundable offenses, i.e., offenses where the victim and the accused can reach a compromise. These offenses include petty offenses, traffic violations, and minor criminal offenses. The Lok Adalat encourages reconciliation between the parties involved and facilitates the withdrawal of criminal charges.
