What is Lok Adalat? Can my case be settled there?
Simple answer
Yes, if both sides agree. Lok Adalat is a free settlement forum run by Legal Services Authorities. Its award works like a court decree and cannot be appealed, and court fee already paid is refunded. Crimes that cannot be legally compromised are not taken up.
Real-life examples
Savita's money recovery suit against a supplier has been pending for three years. At the National Lok Adalat, both agree on payment in instalments. The award becomes final like a decree, and Savita gets her court fee refunded.
Kavita's neighbour refuses every settlement offer at the Lok Adalat. Nobody can force him. Her case goes back to the regular court and continues from where it stopped.
Tenzin gets a hugely inflated electricity bill. He applies to the Permanent Lok Adalat. When talks with the power company fail, the Permanent Lok Adalat decides the dispute itself, and its award is binding.
What should you do?
- 1For a pending case, ask your lawyer or the court to refer it to the next Lok Adalat.
- 2For a dispute not yet in court, apply at the DLSA or Taluk Legal Services Committee for a pre-litigation hearing.
- 3Find the next National Lok Adalat date on your State Legal Services Authority's website, or call 15100.
- 4Go on the date with ID and case papers. Agree only to terms you can actually follow.
- 5Read the settlement carefully before signing. Once the award is passed, it is final.
- 6For disputes over public utility services like electricity, water, transport, telephone, hospitals or insurance, apply to the Permanent Lok Adalat.
Exceptions & limits
- Offences that the law does not allow to be compromised (non-compoundable), like murder or rape, cannot be settled in Lok Adalat.
- A regular Lok Adalat cannot decide a case if the parties don't agree. Only the Permanent Lok Adalat can decide on merits, and only up to ₹1 crore.
- No appeal lies against an award. It can be challenged only in the High Court on very narrow grounds, such as fraud.
Official legal reference
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 — Section 19
Legal Services Authorities organise Lok Adalats for pending and pre-litigation disputes; they cannot handle non-compoundable offences.
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 — Section 20
A court refers a case if parties agree or it seems settleable; if there is no settlement, the case returns to court.
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 — Section 21
The award is treated as a civil court decree, is final and binding, cannot be appealed, and court fee is refunded.
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 — Sections 22A–22E
Permanent Lok Adalats for public utility services can decide disputes up to ₹1 crore on merits if settlement fails, but not offences.
Where to get help
NALSA Free Legal Aid
Free lawyer and legal advice for eligible people through Legal Services Authorities.
Source & status
- Applies to
- All of India
- Law in force since
- 9 Nov 1995
- Legal review
- Draft — awaiting lawyer review
Educational information, not legal advice for your case. Exact facts and the law that applies matter — speak to a lawyer before acting.
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