Lok Adalat and the National Legal Services Authority play a crucial role in delivering affordable, speedy justice in India by resolving disputes through conciliation and providing free legal aid.

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• Lok Adalat, meaning People’s Court, is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism designed to settle disputes through compromise, mediation and conciliation outside the formal judicial system.
•  The first Lok Adalat in the post-independence period was organised in Gujarat in 1982, later receiving statutory recognition under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
•  Lok Adalats handle disputes pending in courts as well as pre-litigation matters, enabling faster resolution while reducing the burden on traditional courts.
• A typical Lok Adalat bench includes a judicial officer as chairperson along with a lawyer and a social worker who assist in facilitating settlements.
•  Lok Adalats can settle civil disputes and compoundable criminal cases but do not have jurisdiction over non-compoundable offences under criminal law.
•  Awards issued by Lok Adalats are treated as decrees of civil courts, are binding on both parties, and cannot be challenged through an appeal.
•  Different forms of Lok Adalats include National Lok Adalats, State or Regular Lok Adalats, and Permanent Lok Adalats that address disputes related to public utility services.
•  The National Legal Services Authority oversees legal aid programmes nationwide, ensuring free legal services and coordinating activities of state and district legal services institutions.