Lok Adalats in India serve as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, offering a speedy, cost-effective, and informal way to resolve disputes, particularly those pending in court or at the pre-litigation stage. They are a statutory body under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, with a focus on amicable settlement of cases.
Here's a more detailed look at their role:
1. Providing an Alternative to Traditional Courts:
Lok Adalats provide a platform for settling disputes in a manner that is less formal and time-consuming than traditional court proceedings.
They focus on mediation and conciliation, aiming to reach a mutually acceptable settlement between the parties.
2. Addressing Backlog in the Court System:
The Indian court system often faces a significant backlog of cases.
Lok Adalats contribute to reducing this backlog by providing a mechanism for speedy disposal of cases, potentially resolving disputes that would otherwise take years in court.
3. Promoting Access to Justice:
Lok Adalats make justice more accessible, especially for those who may be marginalized or have difficulty navigating the formal legal system.
They offer free legal aid and services, ensuring that disputes are resolved irrespective of economic status.
4. Types of Cases Handled:
Lok Adalats can handle a variety of civil and criminal cases, including:
Disputes related to property, contracts, family matters, and damages.
Smaller criminal offenses like traffic violations or petty theft.
Family disputes, such as divorce settlements and child custody.
Labour disputes.
Cases pending in court or at the pre-litigation stage.
5. Legal Status of Lok Adalat Decisions:
Awards made by Lok Adalats are legally binding and have the same effect as a decree of a civil court.
These awards are final and cannot be appealed in a higher court.

Role of Lok Adalats in the Indian Legal System
Lok Adalats, or "People’s Courts," play a pivotal role in India's legal system as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism. They are designed to provide speedy, cost-effective, and accessible justice to the public, particularly for those who may not have the means to pursue lengthy litigation in traditional courts.
Key Functions and Features
Amicable Settlement of Disputes: Lok Adalats facilitate the resolution of disputes—both pending in courts and at the pre-litigation stage—through compromise and mutual agreement, under the supervision of judicial officers or legal experts.
Statutory Backing: They have statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Awards made by Lok Adalats are deemed to be decrees of a civil court, making them final and binding on all parties. No appeal lies against such awards, ensuring swift closure of cases.
Jurisdiction: Lok Adalats can handle a wide range of cases, including civil disputes, family and matrimonial matters, labor disputes, land acquisition, bank recovery, and compoundable criminal offenses. However, they cannot adjudicate non-compoundable criminal offenses.
Accessibility and Cost Effectiveness: There are no court fees, and if a case pending in court is settled at a Lok Adalat, the court fee already paid is refunded. This makes the process especially beneficial for economically weaker and marginalized sections of society.
Reduction of Court Backlog: By resolving cases expeditiously, Lok Adalats significantly reduce the burden on traditional courts. For example, over 1.14 crore cases were resolved during the 3rd National Lok Adalat in 2024.Promotion of Social Harmony: The emphasis on reconciliation and compromise helps maintain social harmony and avoids the adversarial nature of regular litigation.
Procedural Flexibility: Lok Adalats are not bound by strict procedural laws or the Evidence Act, allowing for a more informal and flexible approach to dispute resolution.
Permanent Lok Adalats
The 2002 amendment to the Legal Services Authorities Act introduced Permanent Lok Adalats for public utility services. These bodies can decide cases even if parties fail to reach a settlement, further enhancing access to justice in essential service sectors.

Conclusion
Lok Adalats represent a successful adaptation of ADR within the Indian legal system, bridging the gap between formal judicial processes and the socio-economic realities of the people. They embody the constitutional mandate of equal access to justice and have become an indispensable tool for expeditious and amicable dispute resolution in India