Over 97 Lakh Cases Settled In 1st National Lok Adalat Of 2023

The Legal Services Authorities across the country organised the 1st National Lok Adalat of the year 2023 in all the 36 States and Union Territories, under the guidance of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the stewardship of Supreme Court Judge and Executive Chairman of NALSA, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul.  

As per the information received by NALSA, as of the 11th of February till 7:30 PM, 97.54 lakh cases have been settled in the National Lok Adalat. The settled cases include about 17.13 lakh pending cases and 80.50 lakh pre-litigation cases and the approximate value of the total settlement amount in these cases is Rs. 7077.84 Crore. NALSA expects the final settlement figures will rise, as data on settlement from far-flung areas of the country is still awaited. 

"This settlement of cases will not only ease the burden of the pending cases in Courts but will also control future litigation," according to NALSA.

During this National Lok Adalat, cases involving compoundable offences, revenue cases and bank recovery cases, motor accident claims, matrimonial disputes except for divorce cases, cheque bounce cases, labour disputes and other civil cases were taken up. Many recovery matters related to financial institutions, banks, government bodies and private service providers were also taken up as pre-litigation cases and settled. 

Justice Kaul took an overview of the entire process and progress of Lok Adalat. He also stressed upon the need for quick and affordable access to justice to increase the institutional participation of the common man and gave necessary directions to NALSA for the future course of upcoming Lok Adalats, which are scheduled to be conducted pan India on 13th May, 9th September and 12th December 2023.