Date: 2026-03-12Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Lok Adalat is an important Alternative Disputes Resolution Mechanism available to common people, where the disputes/ cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/compromised amicably
**Executive Summary**
This document outlines the Lok Adalat system as a crucial Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) mechanism in India, aimed at reducing pendency in courts. Recent amendments to several acts support this objective. Lok Adalats offer a pre-litigation and court-stage settlement route with binding awards.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Lok Adalat Functionality:**
* Lok Adalats serve as an Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) mechanism for the public.
* They facilitate the amicable settlement or compromise of disputes and cases pending in courts or at the pre-litigation stage.
* Awards made by Lok Adalats under the Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987, are considered decrees of a civil court and are final and binding, with no provision for appeal.
* National Lok Adalats are organized simultaneously across all Taluks, Districts, and High Courts on designated dates.
* **Case Disposal Statistics (2016-Dec 2025):**
* National Lok Adalats settled 33,80,76,089 pre-litigative cases and 8,45,59,866 pending cases.
* State Lok Adalats settled 39,33,548 pre-litigative cases and 67,03,159 pending cases.
* Permanent Lok Adalats (handling public utility service cases) settled 14,58,389 pre-litigative cases.
* **Government Initiatives for Justice Delivery:**
* The Central Government is committed to speedy disposal of cases and reducing pendency, aligning with Article 21 of the Constitution.
* Initiatives include leveraging technology for faster case disposal and increased transparency through the e-Courts Mission Mode Project.
* Support is also provided for infrastructure development for District and Subordinate Judiciary via a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
* Amendments to the Negotiable Instruments Act, 2018, Commercial Courts Act, 2018, Specific Relief Act, 2018, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 2019, and Criminal Laws Act, 2018, have been made to reduce pendency.
**Impact Analysis**
**Common People**
* **Impact:** Have access to an amicable and efficient mechanism for resolving disputes at pre-litigation or court stages, potentially reducing the burden and cost of traditional litigation. The finality of Lok Adalat awards offers certainty.
* **Action Required:** Consider utilizing Lok Adalats for the resolution of their disputes.
**Judiciary**
* **Impact:** Benefits from a structured approach to reduce systemic delays and case pendency. The e-Courts Mission Mode Project aims to increase efficiency and transparency.
* **Action Required:** Continue to support and implement initiatives like Lok Adalats and technological advancements for faster justice delivery.
**Government (Ministry of Law and Justice)**
* **Impact:** Achieves its objective of reducing pendency and improving justice delivery system through the implementation and promotion of Lok Adalats and legislative amendments.
* **Action Required:** Continue to facilitate and monitor the effectiveness of Lok Adalats and other justice delivery initiatives.
**Legal Fraternity**
* **Impact:** May need to adapt to a system where a significant number of cases are resolved through ADR mechanisms rather than traditional court proceedings.
* **Action Required:** Familiarize themselves with the procedures and benefits of Lok Adalats and advise clients accordingly.
Key Entities Referenced
Lok Adalat: An alternative dispute resolution mechanism for settling cases amicably in or out of court.
The Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987: Legislation under which Lok Adalat awards are deemed civil court decrees and are final.
The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Act, 2018: One of the key acts amended by the government to reduce case pendency.
The Commercial Courts (Amendment) Act, 2018: One of the key acts amended by the government to reduce case pendency.
The Specific Relief (Amendment) Act, 2018: One of the key acts amended by the government to reduce case pendency.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Lok Adalat is an important Alternative Disputes
Resolution Mechanism available to common
people, where the disputes/ cases pending in the
court of law or at pre-litigation stage are
settled/compromised amicably
IMPROVING JUSTICE DELIVERY
Posted On: 12 MAR 2026 12:52PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has amended The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Act, 2018, The Commercial Courts
(Amendment) Act, 2018, The Specific Relief (Amendment) Act, 2018, The Arbitration and Conciliation
(Amendment) Act, 2019 and The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act, 2018 with a view to reduce pendency.
Lok Adalat is an important Alternative Disputes Resolution Mechanism available to common people, where
the disputes/ cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/compromised amicably.
Under The Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987, an award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a
decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no appeal lies against it before any court.
National Lok Adalats are organized simultaneously in all Taluks, Districts and High Courts on a pre-fixed
date. The details of the cases disposed of in Lok Adalats from 2016 to Dec 2025are as under:
Lok Adalat Pre-litigative Pending cases
cases settled settled
National Lok Adalat 33,80,76,089 8,45,59,866
State Lok Adalats 39,33,548 67,03,159
Permanent Lok Adalats 14,58,389 -
(cases relating to public utility service)
Further addressing systemic delays in the justice delivery system requires a structured approach and the
Central Government is committed for speedy disposal of cases and reducing pendency as mandated under
Article 21 of the Constitution and has taken several initiatives to provide an ecosystem for faster disposal
of cases by the judiciary which includes, inter-alia, amalgamation of latest technologies for increasing
access to Justice and greater transparency under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project and supplementing ofthe resources of the State Governments/UTs for providing suitable infrastructure facilities for the District
and Subordinate Judiciary under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure
Facilities for Judiciary.
This information was given by MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha
today.
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