Udupi: The Udupi District Legal Services Authority will organise a National Lok Adalat on March 14 across courts in Udupi district with the aim of settling around 4,400 cases through mutual settlement and conciliation.
The Lok Adalat will be held in courts at Udupi, Kundapura, Karkala and Byndoor as per the directions of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority.
Opportunity for quick and low-cost dispute resolution
Addressing reporters, Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority Kiran S. Gangannavar said members of the public could utilise the Lok Adalat to resolve both pre-litigation matters and cases that are currently pending before courts.
He explained that Lok Adalats provide a platform for amicable settlement through mediation, enabling both parties to reach mutually acceptable solutions without undergoing lengthy court proceedings.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at promoting speedy justice and reducing the burden on courts while offering litigants an opportunity to resolve disputes at minimal cost.
Wide range of cases eligible for settlement
Mr. Gangannavar said a variety of cases could be settled through conciliation during the Lok Adalat.
These include compoundable criminal cases, matters under the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, cheque bounce cases and bank loan recovery disputes. In addition, cases related to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, labour disputes and industrial workers’ wage-related claims may also be considered.
Other eligible matters include disputes concerning electricity and water charges, matrimonial family court cases except divorce, land acquisition compensation cases and civil disputes.
Service-related matters such as wage and allowance claims, pension-related cases and certain other civil issues can also be resolved through the Lok Adalat process.
Mediation and mutual agreement essential
Officials explained that during the Lok Adalat proceedings, mediators will guide both parties to explore possible solutions and reach a compromise.
However, any settlement will be finalised only if both parties voluntarily agree to the solution suggested during mediation. Once a settlement is reached, the decision is treated as final and binding, eliminating the need for further litigation.
Mr. Gangannavar noted that Lok Adalats are particularly beneficial for resolving disputes quickly while avoiding lengthy legal procedures and high litigation costs.
Target to settle thousands of cases
According to the District Legal Services Authority, a total of 35,245 cases are currently listed under various categories in the district. Of these, around 4,400 cases have been identified as suitable for settlement during the upcoming Lok Adalat.
Officials expressed hope that a significant number of cases would be resolved through the initiative, helping litigants obtain quicker relief and reducing the workload of courts.
Previous Lok Adalat saw high settlement rate
Authorities pointed out that the previous Lok Adalat held in December achieved encouraging results. Out of 4,341 cases taken up during that session, 3,729 cases were successfully settled.
Officials believe that the upcoming Lok Adalat could achieve similar results if litigants come forward and actively participate in the conciliation process.
Conclusion
The National Lok Adalat scheduled for March 14 is expected to provide an effective platform for resolving disputes through negotiation and mutual agreement. Authorities have urged the public to take advantage of the opportunity to settle cases quickly, economically and without prolonged legal proceedings.
Also present during the press briefing was Manu S. Patel, Member Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority.