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.