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Grassroots Dispute Resolution: The Functioning And Effectiveness Of Lok Adalat’s In India




Harsh Kumar Singh, LL.M., Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Lucknow, UP.


ABSTRACT


The quest for timely and affordable justice in India has long driven the exploration of alternative mechanisms beyond the conventional court system. Lok Adalats, or "People's Courts," represent a distinctive model of grassroots dispute resolution rooted in principles of conciliation and community justice. This research critically examines the functioning, structure, and effectiveness of Lok Adalats in India, focusing on their role in alleviating the burden on formal courts and delivering swift, cost-effective justice. Drawing on statutory frameworks such as the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and analysing empirical data from selected states, this study evaluates the quality of outcomes, public satisfaction, and procedural fairness associated with Lok Adalats. The research also addresses key limitations, including the voluntary nature of participation, limited enforceability in complex cases, and potential compromise of legal rights. Ultimately, the paper seeks to understand whether Lok Adalats are fulfilling their promise as a people-centric ADR mechanism and what policy reforms could enhance their impact in the Indian justice delivery system.


Keywords: Lok Adalat, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Legal Services Authorities Act, grassroots justice, informal courts, access to justice, community mediation, judicial backlog, dispute resolution in India, procedural fairness.



Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research

Abbreviation: IJLLR

ISSN: 2582-8878

Website: www.ijllr.com

Accessibility: Open Access

License: Creative Commons 4.0

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All research articles published in The Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research are fully open access. i.e. immediately freely available to read, download and share. Articles are published under the terms of a Creative Commons license which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

 

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The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the IJLLR or its members. The designations employed in this publication and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the IJLLR.

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