Abstract

This research aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of the Lok Adalats in India, with a specific focus on their role in expediting the delivery of justice. The research primarily focuses on the organizational structure, jurisdiction, and historical evolution along with the legal frameworks of Lok Adalats in India. The study also delves into analyzing the functioning of the Lok Adalats in India and the respective impact of the Lok Adalats over the huge backlog of cases within the Indian Judiciary. This paper humbly attempts to assess the procedural aspects and mechanisms employed by the Lok Adalats in resolving disputes and emphasizing their efficiency in achieving speedy justice. The study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the Lok Adalats in India as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism and assess their contribution to reducing the expediency of cases in the Indian judicial system. Lok Adalat represents an innovative forum and a much-needed addition to international jurisprudence for dispute resolution. They symbolize an independent, voluntary, disputant-friendly, efficient, justice-oriented, and non-technical platform for the settlement of disputes, in addition to being a recourse from the millions of cases clogging the dockets in courts. It will further scrutinize the variety of cases mostly addressed effectively by the Lok Adalats and identify the forthcoming challenges and limitations that become a hurdle to their efficient functioning. This paper will also explore the general public's perceptions and the stakeholders' opinions regarding Lok Adalats and its work. The Lok Adalat has become a tool for magnifying the legal crisis; not only do they act as tangible reminders of the failure of the formal justice system, but their unabashed acceptance reflects a form of acquiescence to failure and complacency that discourages any substantial reform of the state judicial system.

Keywords