Lok Adalat settles 203 cases during routine court

Dimapur, April 22 (EMN): The National Lok Adalat across Nagaland has addressed 300 cases, out of which the legal agency has disposed 203 cases that were in the ‘pre-litigative stage.’ A press release from the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) informed about the event. The total worth of settlement from the disposed cases was INR 80, 40,489, it was informed. Altogether ten Lok Adalat sitting were constituted within the premises of the district court buildings. The cases that were addressed for settlement included cases of bank recovery, traffic, motor accident claims, and pending petty criminal cases. Earlier the DLSA had organised a publicity programme to educate the public about the benefits of settling disputes through the Lok Adalat. The proceedings were conducted in local dialects for the convenience of litigants and without stressing much on legal technicalities. The Lok Adalat has been given a statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, the press release informed. Through the act, the decision taken by the Lok Adalats have been made equivalent to a decree of a civil court and is final before any court of law. If no settlement is arrived at the Lok Adalat, the parties can continue with court proceedings. The Lok Adalat is the ‘fastest and simplest mode’ for resolving disputes. It was stated that the method was like a ‘direct talks between the litigants and parties.’ The system is free and so is the service of lawyers, it was informed.