COVID-19: National Lok Adalat scheduled for 11th July gets cancelled, Justice N.V. Ramana issues order

In view of the unprecedented scenario caused by pandemic, National Legal Services Authority has cancelled the National Lok Adalat scheduled for 11th July 2020.

The decision, in this regard, was taken by Hon’ble Mr Justice. N.V. Ramana, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman, NALSA. 

The National Lok Adalats scheduled for 12th September,2020 and 12th December,2020 will be held as per the approved schedule.

In the near future online platform for holding Lok Adalat will be explored in one of the States before its incremental expansion after course corrections, if needed to other States.

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National Lok Adalats are held on a large scale, and in such Lok Adalats, people throng in large numbers. This fact along with other relevant factors was kept in view while taking the decision.

The State Legal Services Authorities instead have been advised to hold Lok Adalats at Micro Level, if assessed by them to be required, on various subjects such as Negotiable Instruments Acts cases, criminal compoundable cases, Motor Accident Claims Cases, Civil Matters etc.

In Lok Adalats, matters pending in the Courts as well as matters at pre-litigation stage are taken for amicable settlement.  

In the year 2019, four National Lok Adalats were held in which 52.93 lakh cases were disposed of, out of which 26,16,790 cases were pending in the courts and 26,76,483 were pre-litigation cases. In the year 2020, one National Lok Adalat was held on 8.2.2020 in which 11.25 Lakh cases were disposed of, out of which 4.81 lakh cases were matters pending in the courts.