Q. With reference to the Lok Adalats in India, consider the following statements:
1. Cases which are pending in courts of law cannot be taken up in Lok Adalats.
2. Their decisions are final and binding and no appeal against their decision lies with any court.
3. The jurisdiction of Permanent Lok Adalats include cases related to public utility services.
How many of the above given statements are correct?
Exp) Option b is the correct answer.
Lok Adalats were formed for settling disputes through conciliation and negotiation between the parties outside courts of law. These were created under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Cases which are in pre litigation stages (not yet opened in a court of law), as well as those that are already pending in a court of law, both, can be brought to the Lok Adalats.
Statement 2 is correct: Legal Services Authorities Act provided that the decision of the Lok Adalats is final (no appeal) and binding on the parties.
Statement 3 is correct: The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 was amended in 2002 to provide for establishment of Permanent Lok Adalats (Section 22-B). These have been established to specifically deal with cases related to public utility services, like electricity, water supply, municipal garbage disposal system, etc.
| Important Tips There is no court fee payable when a matter is filed in a Lok Adalat. If a matter pending in the court of law is referred to the Lok Adalat and is settled subsequently, the court fee originally paid in the court on the complaints/petition is also refunded back to the parties. |
