Lok Adalat Has No Jurisdiction To Decide A Matter On Merits: SC
Recently the Supreme Court has clarified that Lok Adalats do not have jurisdiction to take decisions on merits.
In Estate Officer Vs Col. HV Mankotia (Retd.), the Supreme Court has specified that the jurisdiction of the Lok Adalat under the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act: 1987 shall be to determine and give effect to the settlement between the parties involved in the dispute.
Once the settlement or settlement fails, the Lok Adalat shall refer the said suit to the Court from where it is referred.
The Supreme Court has also specified that Lok Adalats have no jurisdiction to decide a case on merit.
About Lok Adalat
- It is one of the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. It is a forum where disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at the pre-trial stage are settled by mutual consent.
- Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the LSA. Under the LSA, a decision given by Lok Adalats is treated as a civil court order. This decision is final and binding on all parties. No appeal can lie against such a decision in any court.
- When a case is filed in Lok Adalat, no court fee is payable.
Source – The Hindu
