Mangaluru: Karnataka State Legal Services Authority and District Legal Services Authority, Dakshina Kannada, will organise National Lok Adalat on the district court complex premises and in taluk courts across the district on February 8.

Judge Kadloor Sathyanarayanacharya, District Legal Services Authority chairman and also Principal District and Sessions Court judge, told media persons that the litigants should avail this opportunity for quick settlement of both pending litigations and pre-litigations through the Lok Adalat.

He said the Lok Aadalat facilitates quick settlement of cases and added that litigants can approach the Lok Adalat through their advocates or in person.

Amicable settlement will not only resolve the dispute but will help in restoring cordial relationship, he said.

“If the case is settled before the Lok Adalat, the court fee already paid will be refunded. The settlement before Lok Adalat will be done with the consent of both the parties,” he said.

Lok Adalat had disposed of 4,820 cases in the district a year ago. A total of 51,000 cases are pending in various courts in the district.

The judge said that 618 pending cases have been referred to Lok Adalat. Already notices have been served to 6,000 pre-litigation cases in connection with the Lok Adalat. As Lok Adalats have been given statutory status, their decision is final and binding on all parties.

“No appeal should be entertained against such judgement,” he stressed.

There are 26 courts in the District Court complex in Mangaluru. All the judges of the courts will be the conciliators in the Lok Adalat.

The Lok Adalat will be held from 10.30 am. Lok Adalat will also be held on April 11, July 11, September 12 and December 12 during the year.

The pre-litigation cases, covered under Lok Adalat are Negotiable Instruments Act cases, under Section 138, money recovery cases, labour dispute cases, electricity and water bills (excluding non-compoundable), maintenance cases, others (criminal compoundable, matrimonial and other civil disputes). The pending courts in the cases related to land acquisition cases, services matters relating to pay and allowances and retiree benefits, revenue cases (pending in district courts and High Courts only), other civil cases related to rent, easmentary rights, injunction suit, specific performance suits.

For information, those interested can contact the District Legal Services Authority at 0824-2448111.