Mangaluru: The National Lok Adalat will be held across Dakshina Kannada district on March 14 with the objective of resolving disputes quickly through mutual settlement and reducing the burden on courts.
Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Basavaraj, appealed to the public to make use of the opportunity to settle disputes amicably and avoid prolonged legal battles.
Speaking to mediapersons in Mangaluru on March 10, the judge said the Lok Adalat provides an effective platform for speedy and cost-effective resolution of various types of disputes.
Wide range of cases to be taken up
According to the District Legal Services Authority, several categories of cases will be taken up during the Lok Adalat.
These include compensation claims, motor vehicle accident cases, cheque bounce cases, and civil disputes such as matrimonial and property-related matters. Other cases that will be considered include bank loan recovery disputes, labour matters, land acquisition compensation claims, illegal sand mining cases, and issues related to birth certificates.
In addition to cases pending before courts, pre-litigation disputes will also be addressed during the Lok Adalat.
Officials said disputes related to electricity and water bills, property tax, rental agreements, insurance claims, and pension-related matters can also be settled through the process before they escalate into court cases.
Over 54,000 cases pending in district courts
Judge Basavaraj stated that as of February 1, a total of 54,677 cases are pending in courts across Dakshina Kannada district.
Out of these, around 3,000 cases have been identified as suitable for settlement through the National Lok Adalat scheduled for March 14.
He noted that efforts are being made to resolve as many cases as possible through mutual settlement so that litigants can save time and avoid lengthy court proceedings.
So far, 220 cases have already been disposed of as part of the preparatory process for the upcoming Lok Adalat.
Mediation Drive 2.0 also underway
The judge also highlighted the progress of Mediation Drive 2.0, which began on January 2 in the district.
A total of 931 cases have been referred to mediation under the initiative. Out of these, 126 cases have already been settled successfully.
To support the mediation process, the district has appointed 79 mediators who are working to facilitate discussions between parties and help them reach mutually acceptable solutions.
Officials said mediation has proven to be an effective mechanism in reducing the backlog of cases and encouraging amicable settlements.
Cheque bounce and accident claims dominate cases
According to the District Legal Services Authority, a majority of the cases referred to the Lok Adalat involve cheque bounce disputes and motor vehicle accident compensation claims.
These types of cases often involve financial settlements and are considered suitable for resolution through negotiation and mutual agreement.
Judge Basavaraj also informed that individuals whose cases are pending before the High Court may approach mediation centres located at the High Court premises in Bengaluru, Dharwad, and Kalaburagi for further assistance and details.
Settlements in Lok Adalat are final
The judge emphasised that settlements reached in Lok Adalat carry legal validity and are considered final.
Once a case is settled through Lok Adalat, it cannot be appealed in any court. Additionally, the court fee originally paid by the parties will be refunded when a case pending before a court is resolved through this mechanism.
This provision encourages litigants to opt for settlement and resolve disputes without further legal complications.
Previous Lok Adalat saw large settlements
Referring to the previous Lok Adalat held on December 13, 2025, Judge Basavaraj said a total of 3,499 cases were disposed of during the event.
The settlements in these cases amounted to ₹32.54 crore.
In addition, a large number of pre-litigation disputes were also resolved. About 2,94,167 pre-litigation cases related to property tax, traffic violation fines, and other issues were settled, resulting in the recovery of ₹102.94 crore.
Plans for courts in new taluks
Responding to queries regarding the establishment of courts in newly formed taluks, the judge said steps are being taken to identify suitable land for court complexes.
Land is currently being identified in Mulki and Ullal for setting up courts, while land has already been identified in Kadaba taluk.
He also noted that the pendency of cases in the district will reduce significantly once all courts are fully staffed with magistrates.
At present, magistrate posts in eight Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) courts remain vacant, including six in Mangaluru.
Sources said the vacant posts are likely to be filled during the upcoming transfer process scheduled in April, which is expected to improve the functioning of courts in the district.
Authorities urged litigants and the public to take advantage of the upcoming Lok Adalat and resolve disputes through mutual consent, thereby saving time and resources for both the parties and the judicial system.