Lok Adalat to clear long-pending cases

Petitioners must inform the courts about plans of going to the Lok Adalat. If a person opts for Lok Adalat, there are no charges and the fee paid in other courts will be refunded

Hundreds of people involved in prolonged litigation can now expect relief at the Lok Adalat which will be held here on February 11.

The Lok Adalat will adjudicate cases at all levels, where the litigants have informed their respective courts that they are looking for dispute resolution at the alternative forum.

Most of the cases at the Lok Adalat are regarding matrimonial disputes, which are resolved by mediation. Compoundable cases are heard at the Lok Adalat, including cheque-bounce cases can be compounded subject to some restrictions, said N. Veeraraju, secretary of the City Civil Courts Legal Authority.

The main objectives of the legal services cell is to provide free legal aid, to organise Lok Adalats for settlement of pending and pre-litigation cases and to create awareness camps to the public. “With these objectives we intend to solve cases which have been pending for years in other courts,” added Mr Veeraraju.

“The petitioners have to inform the courts about their plans of going to the Lok Adalat. If a person opts for the Lok Adalat, there are no charges and the fee paid in other courts will be refunded,” Mr Veeraraju said. The Lok Adalats also handles cases related to property disputes, chit funds, bank recovery and insurance claims.

“This process is a part of alternative dispute resolution system. The litigants not only save time and money, they can also have friendly ties,” said P.V Rambabu, member-secretary, AP State Legal Services.