Explaining the concept and purpose of Public Court (Lok Adalat), state who are eligible to get free legal aid.

Lok Adalat (Public Court) & Free Legal Aid Under Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987

To fulfill the constitutional directive under Article 39A (Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid), the Parliament enacted the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, establishing an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism via Lok Adalats.

1. Concept and Purpose of Lok Adalat:

• Concept: A quasi-judicial forum where pending court cases or pre-litigation disputes are settled amicably through conciliation, mutual compromise, and negotiation without rigid procedural formalities.
• Statutory Status: Award of a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a decree of a civil court, final and binding on all parties, with no provision for appeal in any court.
• Primary Purpose:
  • Speedy, accessible, and affordable justice for the poor.
  • Decongesting conventional courts by settling matrimonial, motor accident claims, land partition, bank recovery, and compoundable criminal disputes.
  • Complete refund of court fees upon settlement.

2. Persons Eligible for Free Legal Aid (Section 12 of the 1987 Act):

• 1. Members of Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• 2. Women and Children.
• 3. Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
• 4. Victims of human trafficking or beggars (Art. 23).
• 5. Victims of mass disasters, ethnic violence, caste atrocities, floods, droughts, earthquake, or industrial disasters.
• 6. Industrial workmen.
• 7. Persons in custody (juvenile homes, psychiatric hospitals, jails).
• 8. Low-income citizens whose annual income does not exceed the statutory ceiling (₹3 lakh in Supreme Court / ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh in State LSAs).

Conclusion: Lok Adalats have transformed justice from an adversarial battlefield into a participatory, reconciliatory mechanism upholding human dignity.