The Lok Adalats have earned the commendation of many legal luminaries. In this context answer the following questions:

(a) What is meant by a Lok Adalat?

(b) What are the advantages of settlement of disputes through Lok Adalats?
Or
Mention any four reasons why the system of Lok Adalats became so popular.

(a) Lok Adalat means "People's Court".

1. Lok Adalats encourage the settlement of disputes through compromise or settlements between the parties.
2. From time to time these courts have been held in Gujarat, Delhi and various other States.
3. A few judges of the Supreme Court, social workers and young students of law have contributed in a big way to the institution of Lok Adalats.
4. Public-spirited men and women persuaded the parties to a dispute to withdraw their cases from judicial courts and transfer the same to the Lok Adalats.

(b) There are many advantages of the settlement of disputes through Lok Adalats.

1. The Lok Adalats work in the spirit of compromise — No one nourishes feelings of anger or unhappiness. Both the parties feel that they have been treated fairly. Lok Adalats could play an important role in the settlement of family feuds, disputes between the neighbours and minor cases of assault and injury.
2. Lok Adalats deliver speedy and inexpensive justice — One can move Lok Adalat by an application on a plain paper or format available with Legal Services Authorities. Weaker sections of society cannot afford the costs involved in the Court procedures. Lok Adalats, therefore, tend to promote Social Justice.
3. Awards passed by Lok Adalats are final and binding on the parties — Ordinarily no appeal lies before any court against its award.
4. The Lok Adalats shall reduce the workload of subordinate courts — That could consequently reduce delay in justice.