Balaji (Self) 13 July 2014

Is it possible to appeal lokadalat judgment

Hi All, Wife filed 498a and case moved from JFCM Court to loakadalat court. In loakadalat judge given 90 days time. Both parties compromised for ‘X’ Amount and later opposite party changed that amount and submitted in lokadalat court.After that both parties attended in Lokadalat and judge awarded amount.

1) Is it possible to appeal lokadalat judgment in JFCM Court or High court?

2) What is the time limit to appeal ? Please advise.

3) Can I take any action on this?

Thanks for quick responses.

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3 Replies

gautam (not disclosed) 13 July 2014

The focus in Lok Adalats is on compromise. When no compromise is reached, the matter goes back to the court. However, if a compromise is reached, an award is made and is binding on the parties. The disputing parties plead their case themselves in Lok Adalats. No advocate or pleader is allowed, even witnesses are not examined. No court fees is levied. Speedy justice is given to the people of all classes of society. Award has same effect as of a Civil Court decree. It was the LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY ACT 1987, which gave statutory status to Lok Adalat.

Award of permanent lok adalat has to be regarded as final. It cannot be questioned in original suit as it is equivalent to the decree of a civil court. It is executable but not appealable. It can be executed through the courts and can only be challenged before the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution only when totally arbitrary and unreasonable order is passed

Contact a local lawyer for appeal related query.

T. Kalaiselvan, Advocate (Advocate) 13 July 2014

No appeal will lie against the award/judgment of lok adalat. You should have noticed the error that time itself and should not have accepted the same.