Unit V · Alternate Dispute Resolution

Lok Adalats under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987

Study aid only. Confirm statute numbers with the current bare Act and the official OU LL.B. (3-YDC) 2024–25 syllabus PDF.

Statute sections

Act / instrument	Section	Name
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987	19	Organisation of Lok Adalats
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987	20	Cognizance of cases by Lok Adalats
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987	21	Award of Lok Adalat to be deemed a decree

(2008) 2 SCC 660 · Supreme Court of India

A Lok Adalat award is a compromise decree; it cannot decide a dispute on merits if the parties do not settle.

AIR 2005 SC 3575 · Supreme Court of India

An award of the Lok Adalat is final and binding; it is executable as a civil-court decree and is not a casual administrative order.

(2008) 7 SCC 454 · Supreme Court of India

Insurance claims may be settled in Lok Adalat only on consensus; the insurer cannot be compelled to underwrite a non-compromised liability.