SC Special Lok Adalat settles over 400 cases on 1st day of 3-day exercise

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday settled more than 400 cases on the first day of a three-day Special Lok Adalat being held as part of the "Samadhan Samaroh" initiative aimed at promoting an amicable resolution of disputes.

More than 600 cases were listed before 16 Special Lok Adalat benches, each comprising two Supreme Court judges, along with senior advocates, advocates-on-record and other lawyers.

The Special Lok Adalat, which began on Friday, will continue till August 23.

The cases taken up included matrimonial and property disputes, motor-accident claims, land-acquisition and compensation matters, tax disputes as well as service and labour matters pending before the apex court.

The initiative, being held under the guidance of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, involves a pre-settlement process in which litigants and their counsel are engaged to explore the possibility of resolving disputes amicably.

The benches facilitated dialogue between the parties and assisted them in exploring the possibility of a settlement through consent rather than prolonged litigation.

The Supreme Court said the exercise reflects its continued efforts to promote mediation and other consensual methods of dispute resolution as an important part of the justice-delivery system.

The Special Lok Adalat provides litigants an opportunity to resolve their disputes through dialogue and settlement, while helping reduce the burden of prolonged litigation.