CJI favours Lok Adalat at all level of courts

New Delhi: Burdened with large pendency of cases, Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan today favoured holding of Lok Adalats at all levels of courts for amicable settlement of disputes. Inaugurating the first Lok Adalat in the Supreme Court, the CJI said that courts below it should take initiative to settle disputes through Lok Adalats at regular intervals to meet the greatest challenge of pendency of cases for judiciary.
"We want the high courts to organise Lok Adalat at a larger scale," Justice Balakrishnan said and also stressed the need for cooperation from public for making adjudication of disputes through such a medium a success. "Lok Adalat comes as a relief for a large number of litigants and as salvation for the courts burdened with large pendency of cases," he added.
"For large number of litigants, Lok Adalat is a relief. May be a few drops of water (in the ocean) as some cases could be settled with consent of both the parties," the CJI said. To start with, as many as 45 cases were listed at the Court, he said, adding even if 50 per cent cases are settled, it would be a healthy sign. The Lok Adalat would help in settlement of cheque dishonour cases, motor accident claims cases and other criminal cases which are compoundable, Balakrishnan said.
The Lok Adalat was organised by the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee. Parliament has enacted the Legal Service Authorities Act 1987 with an aim to organise Lok Adalat by giving statutory recognition to the resolution of disputes by compromise and settlement to it. (PTI)
Saturday, May 03, 2008 (20:46:04)www.headlinesindia.com