Why in the News?

On September 13, a countrywide National Lok Adalat was held with a special focus on clearing pending traffic e-challans for minor offences.

What is National Lok Adalat?

Overview: Lok Adalats held 4 times a year, on a single day, across all courts from the Supreme Court to Taluk Courts.
Scope: Settles both pending cases and pre-litigation disputes suitable for compromise.
Organisation: Dates fixed in the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) calendar; sessions conducted nationwide.
Method: Focuses on amicable settlement rather than judicial imposition.
Common Cases: Matrimonial/family disputes, compoundable criminal cases, land acquisition, labour disputes, compensation claims, bank recoveries, and accident claims.
Exclusions: Non-compoundable or sensitive offences are outside its scope.

Legal Status: Statutory body under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987; amended in 2002 for Permanent Lok Adalats (public utility services).
Composition: Includes a judicial officer (Chairman), a lawyer, and a social worker.
History: First Lok Adalat held in Gujarat, 1982, as a voluntary conciliatory forum.
Award/Decision: Final, binding, and equivalent to a civil court decree; no appeal permitted.
Jurisdiction: Can settle pending cases, matters within court jurisdiction (even pre-litigation), on mutual consent, referral, or court satisfaction.
Organisation: Conducted by NALSA and State/District/High Court/Taluk Legal Services Authorities. NALSA operational since 9 November 1995.
Powers: Enjoy powers of a civil court; proceedings treated as judicial proceedings.
Benefits: No court fee, speedy disposal, procedural flexibility, direct party–judge interaction, and finality of settlement.

[UPSC 2009] With reference to Lok Adalats, consider the following statements:

1. An award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a degree of a civil court and no appeal lies against thereto before any court.

2. Matrimonial/Family disputes are not covered under Lok Adalat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1 only * (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2