Every dispute doesn’t need a long, stressful court battle. That’s where mediation and Lok Adalats come in. Both are forms of alternative dispute resolution designed to help parties sit together, talk honestly and arrive at a workable solution without going through a full-fledged trial.
In mediation, a neutral mediator helps both sides communicate. The mediator doesn’t “give a judgment” like a judge. Instead, they guide discussion, highlight options, and encourage compromise. The final decision is still in the hands of the parties. If both sides agree, their settlement can often be recorded in writing and made binding.
Lok Adalats are slightly different. They are organised forums, often backed by legal services authorities, where pending or pre-litigation cases are taken up for settlement. The focus is on quick, practical resolutions in matters like money recovery, motor accident claims, small civil disputes, and compoundable criminal matters.
The big advantage of these forums is time and cost. Cases that might drag on for years can sometimes be settled in a single sitting. Relationships are often preserved because the tone is less adversarial. On the other hand, if one party is completely unreasonable or unwilling to compromise, mediation or Lok Adalat may not succeed.
Still, for many everyday disputes, exploring settlement before jumping into a full civil suit is a smart, low-stress first step.