Supreme Court’s week-long Special Lok Adalat begins

The Supreme Court’s week-long Special Lok Adalat, constituted to commemorate the 75th year of the Court, begins today. With the aim to “facilitate amicable settlements of suitable pending cases,” the Court invited lawyers to present cases that have “elements of settlement.” This includes cases concerning “matrimonial and property disputes, motor accident claims, land acquisition, compensation, service and labour.” This is the first time that a six-day Lok Adalat has been set up exclusively to clear Supreme Court cases. 

In a video message announcing the Special Lok Adalat, the Chief Justice of India said: 

From the 29th of July to the 3rd of August 2024, the Supreme Court is organising a special Lok Adalat. This is part of a series of activities which the Supreme Court is observing, to commemorate the 75th year since the establishment of the Supreme Court. Most significantly, we are all as judges, as people, dedicated to the institution of justice concerned about the large backlog of cases.

The Lok Adalat represents a very informal, technology-based solution to resolve cases involving our citizens to their satisfaction in a purely voluntary, consensual mode. Therefore, on behalf of all my colleagues and the staff of the Supreme Court, I would appeal to all citizens who have cases before the Supreme Court, all lawyers, advocates on record, to take the advantage and benefit of this opportunity in an attempt to resolve their cases speedily, in a manner which is acceptable to every contesting party.

As June 2024 closed, the number of pending cases at the Supreme Court stood at a 

daunting 84,280. This number is particularly concerning as the Supreme Court has maintained relatively healthy disposal numbers this year at 5453 in January, 5409 in February, 3926 in March, 4813 in April, 3610 in May and 613 in June, which was a vacation month.  

How does it work?

Lok Adalats are being held in seven Courtrooms, with special video conferencing facilities made available in all. Reportedly, the Supreme Court had also directed all High Courts to ensure that video conferencing facilities are made to ensure that people across the country can appear before the top court. 

In May, June and early July, the Supreme Court Registry identified a total of 14,045 cases eligible to be settled in the Lok Adalat. However, the number of cases actually listed for hearing over the week are significantly lower (about 1638 cases).

On each of these days, the Lok Adalat will be held from 2 to 5pm. These proceedings will be held before Judges in each Court along with one Senior Advocate and one Advocate-on-Record. As the Lok Adalat began today, the judges cast aside their elevated seats and their black gown. They sat at eye level with the counsel and parties wearing formal suits. 

What are Lok Adalats?

Lok Adalats are alternate dispute resolution mechanisms created to settle disputes amicably, and include cases pending in a court of law or at the pre-litigation stage. Lok Adalats are formed under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. 

In a conversation with the Times of India, the Supreme Court Registry said “Parties to the dispute can directly interact with the Members of the Bench in arriving at a compromise or settlement in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. The settlement arrived at is binding and executable. There is no scope for further litigation and relationships between parties remain healthy for the future. It is an easy process for quick and cost-effective resolution of disputes.”