Kohima, April 22 (MExN): National Lok Adalat benches constituted across Nagaland took up 300 cases and disposed a total of 203 cases, mostly at pre-litigative stage, on April 22. The total settlement amount involved in the disposed cases was Rs. 80,40,489/-.
A press release from Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) informed that altogether 10 Lok Adalat benches were constituted in ten districts of the State and the sittings were held within the premises of the District Court buildings.
The cases taken up dealt with bank recovery cases, traffic related matters, Motor Accident Claim Tribunal (MACT) cases, and also a few on petty criminal cases already pending before the subordinate courts, the release said.
“Today’s Lok Adalat could take up and dispose of a significant number of cases during the proceedings with the efforts put up by the officials of the District Legal Services Authorities and sincere cooperation from the officials of commercial banks, financial institution, insurance companies, Traffic Police and amenable participation by the litigants and debating parties,” it stated.
The release further informed that some of the districts after due approval from the Central Authority observed National Lok Adalat sittings prior to the scheduled date for convenience sake on account of the fact that the fixed date fell on Sunday.
Earlier, as part of the pre-Lok Adalat preparation, District Legal Services Authorities organised awareness programmes with an aim to encourage and apprise the public of the benefits of settling dispute through Lok Adalat and also to ensure that all the informed parties are present for settlement on National Lok Adalat Day.
Judicial officers presided over the Lok Adalat proceedings and the Panel Lawyers served as conciliators along with the Para Legal Volunteers who acted as members. The proceedings were also conducted in local dialects for convenience of the uneducated litigants without stressing much on legal technicalities, according to the release.
It noted that Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Under the Act, the award (decision) made by the Lok Adalats is equivalent to a decree of a civil court and is final and binding with no further appeal to be entertained before any court of law. If no settlement is arrived at the Lok Adalat, the parties can continue with court proceedings.
Lok Adalat is the fastest and simplest mode for resolving disputes by a method known as Alternate Dispute Redressal Mechanism (ADR) with direct talks between the litigants or parties amicably. The system is free of cost with no court fee or lawyers’ fee by the litigants.
National Lok Adalat is held at regular intervals throughout the country and the State Legal Services Authorities, which are statutory bodies constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987, act as the implementing agency.
.JPG)
