Kerala Launches Online Services for Permanent Lok Adalats

Kerala has become the first state in India to introduce online filing and hearing facilities for Permanent Lok Adalats.

About the Online Services for Permanent Lok Adalats

• Led by: the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA)
• Aim: To bridge the justice gap using technology.
• The online platform allows applicants to file their cases from anywhere in the State, reducing the need for physical presence.

About Lokadalat

• Lok Adalats, or People’s Courts, are an essential part of India’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system, offering a non-adversarial, cost-effective, and time-efficient method to resolve disputes amicably.
• Origin and Legal Status: The first Lok Adalat was held in Junagadh, Gujarat, in 1982.
  • Its success led to formal recognition under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, granting it statutory authority for dispute resolution.
• Working: Chaired by a judicial officer with two panel members.
• Jurisdiction: Lok Adalats handle both pre-litigation and pending cases related to civil, matrimonial, land, labor, and compoundable criminal matters.
  • However, they do not deal with non-compoundable offences.
• Binding and Final Awards: Decisions made in Lok Adalats are binding, final, and equivalent to civil court decrees.
  • No appeal lies against their awards, which expedites the justice process.
• Accessibility and Affordability: They eliminate court fees and allow direct interaction with the panel, making justice more approachable, especially for economically weaker sections.
• Relieving Judicial Burden: By resolving disputes amicably, Lok Adalats significantly reduce case backlogs in formal courts and promote legal awareness and reconciliation.

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