INTRODUCTION
Lok Adalat is comparable to a civil court will be organised by the State Authority, the District Authority, The Supreme Court Legal Service Committee or tribunal Legal Services Committee at such intervals and places as supposed acceptable.
Lok Adalat is created under the Legal Services Authority Act 1987
JURISDICTION AND TYPES OF CASE
A Lok Adalat has jurisdiction to see and gain a compromise or settlement between the parties to compromise or settlement between the parties to the dispute. It deals with the cases wherever.
The parties to the dispute comply with referring the problem to parties to Lok Adalat.
One of the parties approaches the Lok Adalat and Lok Adalat is happy that there are probabilities of settlement. In such a case, the Adalat issues notice to the opposite party
In the opinion of the Lok Adalat, the cognizance of the dispute are often taken.
CASES THAT CANNOT BE TAKEN UP
The offences, which are compoundable under any law, cannot be brought within the shade of the Lok Adalat. This implies that the Lok Adalat has no authority of its own, to pass judgements.
AWARDS OF LOK ADALAT
PROCEDURE AND POWERS
Civil Procedure Code is applicable which suggests the Lok Adalat will send a summons, take proof on oath, initiative ex-party proceedings and verify court procedures.
WHERE COMPROMISE IS NOT REACHED
The case may be returned back to the court from which the references was received for continuing with the case, there.
RBI GUIDELINES ON LOK ADULTS
To make increasing use of the forum of Lok Adalats to settle banking disputes involving smaller amounts, RBI during April 2001 advised bank and financial institutions to follow the following guidelines for implementation:
AMOUNT
Cases involving an amount up to Rs. 30, 00000 may be referred to as Lok Adalats
BORROWERS
All NPA accounts, both the suit filed and the non-suit filed which are in ‘doubtful’ and “loss” category. NO cut off date is suggested while Lok Adalat is an on-going process.
It would be versatile with following essential parameters
A decree should be sought-after from the Lok Adalat for the principal quantity and interest claimed within the suit and when full payments of decree quantity, a discharge certificate ought to be issued by the bank/financial establishments.
Repayment period to be within 1-3 years
The negotiated agreement ought to contain a default clause. If the recipient doesn't pay due quantity frequently, at intervals the repayment amount, entire debt can fall due for payments and the bank could initiate legal proceedings
The representing Offices ought to have decent powers to simply accept the comprises puzzled out at intervals bank policy framework and will respond pro-actively to the suggestion of the leader of the Lok Adalat.
The negotiated agreement ought to contain a default clause. If the recipient doesn't pay due quantity frequently, at intervals the repayment amount, entire debt can fall due for payments and the bank could initiate legal proceedings
The representing Offices ought to have decent powers to simply accept the comprises worked out at intervals bank policy framework and will respond pro-actively to the suggestion of the leader of the Lok Adalat.
DRT LOK ADALAT
Banks can handle matters where outstanding exceed the ceiling of Rs. 20,00000, with Lok Adalats, organised by the Debt Recovery Tribunals / Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals.
SUPREME COURT SUGGESTION
Supreme Court has suggested, personal loan cases up to Rs. 10 lakh should preferably be settled through Lok Adalats.
ORGANISATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
The banks and financial institutions should be more pro-active and should take the responsibility of organising Lok Adalats. The institutions should keep in touch with State/ District/ Taluk level Legal Services authorities for organising Lok Adalats. The banks shall report the progressing to RBI at quarterly intervals within one month from the quarters ending MARCH, June, September and December. RBI monitors the progress made by the institutions in effecting recovery under the scheme.
Additional Resources:
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR EDUCATION LOAN
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR BUSINESS LOAN
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR HOME LOAN
LOAN DOCUMENTATION (GOLD LOAN,VEHICLE AND AGRICULTURAL LOAN)