3.6. Issues with Lok Adalats

♤ Lack of confidentiality: Lok Adalat proceedings are held in the open court and any member of public may witness these proceedings. Thus, the element of confidentiality is lacking. This also impedes the process of exploration of various resolution options and ultimately the success rate in matters where parties desire confidentiality.

♤ Aura of Court proceedings: Lok Adalats are fora where voluntary efforts intended to bring about settlement of disputes between the parties are made through conciliatory and persuasive efforts. However, they are conducted in regular courts only. Therefore, some amount of formality still remains attached with Lok Adalats.

♤ Needs consent of both parties: The most important factor to be considered while deciding the cases at the Lok Adalat is the consent of both the parties. It cannot be forced on any party that the matter has to be decided by the Lok Adalat.