The subsequent National Lok Adalat on May 10, 2025, will be held in all the courts of the State under the supervision and directions of Hon’ble Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Hon’ble Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan. Nationwide attempts are going on to reduce the existing backlog of cases and extend speedy, inexpensive redress to the people.
The National Lok Adalat is a citizen-centric mechanism for alternative dispute resolution that promotes settlement by consent and compromise. It offers a platform to legal disputants to meet and settle their disputes amicably, rather than dragging the matter through long litigation.
Each of the section magistrate courts in a state will serve the purpose of district courts or subordinate courts. Authorities are set to settle thousands of cases, ranging from civil and criminal compoundable offences to traffic challans, matrimonial disputes, bank recovery cases, and various other disputes. Having the opportunity to distance litigation parties from long court procedures and unnecessary legal costs should make it easy to settle disputes.
e-Pay System Integration for Easy Access
In a major shift towards digitization and ease of access, the National Lok Adalat will incorporate the e-Pay system as part of the e-Courts Digital Payment platform. Especially for motor vehicle (MV) challans, this will allow people to pay compounding fees online instead of having to physically appear before the court for small offences.
Traffic Magistrate Courts will widely utilize this facility to quickly settle traffic offences. The online system allows for secure digital payments, which brings with it greater transparency and a better user experience for citizens of the country.
Public Awareness Campaign Underway
For maximum participation and public good, a massive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign is in action. Governments are in progress in association with local authorities, NGOs, Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs), officials of Panchayati Raj Institutions, and public transport providers to make people aware of the National Lok Adalat.
Authorities are circulating posters, banners, and pamphlets in villages, towns, and cities to inform people about the possibility of settling cases quickly and cost-effectively. They are also organizing awareness programs in schools, community centers, and through local radio and television announcements. The aim is to make citizens aware of their legal rights and the benefits of using alternative dispute resolution.
Advantages of Joining the National Lok Adalat
The National Lok Adalat accordingly offers numerous advantages to the litigants. Firstly, both parties must mutually agree on the settlement to preserve relationships, especially in civil and matrimonial disputes. Secondly, once it reaches its decision by the Lok Adalat, the dispute is binding upon the parties; there is no appeal to contest the decision by either party. Thirdly, the court waives or reimburses the fee in a successfully settled case to lessen the financial burden.
The National Lok Adalat is also instrumental in decreasing the backlog of cases in Indian courts. With lakhs of pending cases, such initiatives are a godsend to the judiciary as well as the public.
Judicial Encouragement
Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan have asked lawyers, litigants, and the general public to step forward and join the National Lok Adalat. The joint patronage adds weight to the emphasis the judiciary gives to quick-tracking and consensus-based resolution techniques.
They have also highlighted the judiciary’s dedication to providing justice that is not only timely in dispensation but also accessible and equitable for all segments of society.
Final Word
With thorough planning, electronic assistance through e-Pay, and an assertive public awareness campaign, the National Lok Adalat on May 10 will be a milestone in enhancing access to justice and disposing of a sizeable number of pending cases. Authorities urge people to make the best use of this chance for a just and speedy settlement of disputes.
