Karanpreet Kaur, B.A.LLB (H), Amity Law School, Noida
Lok Adalat
Lok Adalat, also known as “People’s court” is a well-known system of alternative dispute resolution in India created under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Lok Adalat is inspired by the Panchayati Raj that has been prevalent in India and is based on the concept and principle of “Panch Parmeshvar” of the gram panchayats.
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 which was enacted by the Parliament, gave a legal status to Lok Adalat, pursuant to the Constitutional mandate in Article39-A of the Constitution of India. The said act contains various provisions for resolving of disputes through Lok Adalat.
Thus, the age-old concept of Lok Adalat has, now, legal standing. It enables the Act to establish Legal Services Authorities to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society so as to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are see that the same are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.1 The first ever Lok Adalat was held in Gujarat in 1982.
