3.7. Measures to improve functioning of Lok Adalats

♤ Establishing permanent and continuous Lok Adalats in all the Districts in the country for the disposal of pending matters as well as disputes at pre-litigative stage.

♤ Establishing separate Permanent and Continuous Lok Adalats for Government departments, PSUs etc. for disposal of pending cases.

♤ Appointment of “Legal Aid Counsel” in all Courts of Magistrates in the country.

♤ Sensitization of Judicial officers in regard of Legal Services Scheme.

♤ Legal literacy and legal aid programmes need to expand to take care of poor and ignorant by organizing awareness camps at grass-root level besides, the mass media like newspapers, television and radios can also be desirable for this purpose.

♤ To increase its utility, the concerned Legal Services Authority should disseminate information to the public about the holding of various Lok Adalat by it and success achieved thereby in providing speedy, equitable and inexpensive justice.

♤ There is need for improvement in quality of legal aid provided by lawyers and advocates. The remunerations offered from legal services authorities to lawyers should be revised and thus encouraged to render effective legal assistance to needy persons.

The Lok Adalat Movement can be successful only if the people participate on voluntary basis in the functioning of Lok Adalat. This can be achieved by restraining themselves from invoking the jurisdiction of traditional Courts in trifle disputes. Further, the endeavour should be to organize more and more Lok Adalats, ensure greater participation, reduce formalism, spare more time and personalized attention thereby ensuring quality justice through Lok Adalats.