With reference to Lok Adalats, answer the following questions:

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With reference to Lok Adalats, answer the following questions:

  1. What are meant by Lok Adalats? Why were they set up?
  2. How does a Lok Adalat function?
  3. What is the scope of Lok Adalat?
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  1. The term Lok Adalat means ‘People’s Court’. It was set up by Legal Services Authorities on the recommendation of Justice P. N Bhagwati. They were set up to provide legal aid to those people who were not in a position to hire or engage lawyers or bear the expenses of legal proceedings. These courts helped in eliminating high costs and delays in imparting justice. The cases in these courts are settled informally and cordially with the involvement of conflicting parties.
  2. Lok Adalats are presided over by a group of judicial officers and other persons - they should possess the qualifications prescribed by the State. They attempt to affect compromises on agreement between the parties. All the decisions taken by the Lok Adalats are now deemed to be decrees of a civil court and shall be binding on the parties involved in the dispute. They mainly function to solve disputes in a speedy manner and through compromise and settlement between the parties.
    Example: On 6th October 1985, the Lok Adalats were held in Delhi for the first time and was inaugurated by Justice P.N. Bhagwati. On this day, fiveLok Adalats were held wherein 116 persons received compensation to the tune of Rs. 35 lakhs from the Delhi Transport Corporation. These aggrieved people were contesting their motor claims since 1978-79.
  3. There are more than 3 crore 20 lakh pending cases in various courts all over India. Therefore, the need of the hour is that Lok Adalat sare organised more frequently. These courts play an important role in the settlement of family quarrels, disputes between neighbours and minor cases of injury and assault for the weaker sections of society as they are not able to afford the delay or the costs involved in court procedures. Hence, Lok Adalats have been set up to promote social justice by dissolving the disputes between the weaker sections of society. In Delhi, Lok Adalats have been set up permanently for settlement of disputes concerning Rajdhani Power Limited, Delhi Development Authority, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam, Municipal Corporation and National Insurance Co. Ltd.