Q. With reference to the ‘Lok Adalats’, consider the following statements:
1. They are statutory bodies formed under The Arbitration and Conciliation Act of1996.
2. The role of Lok Adalat is of statutory conciliation only and do not have any judicial role.
3. Small and nominal amount of court fee is payable when a matter is filed in a Lok Adalat.
How many of the above given statements are correct?
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Section 22 B of The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 provides for the establishment of Permanent Lok Adalats (PLfor exercising jurisdiction in respect of one or more public utility services (PUS).
Statement 2 is correct: The persons deciding the cases in the Lok Adalats are called the Members of the Lok Adalats, they have the role of statutory conciliators only and do not have any judicial role; therefore, they can only persuade the parties to come to a conclusion for settling the dispute outside the court in the Lok Adalat and shall not pressurize or coerce any of the parties to compromise or settle cases or matters either directly or indirectly.
Statement 3 is incorrect: 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
