📚 LEGAL LEARNING | LOK ADALAT & CONCILIATION
#ConciliationMandatory #LegalLearning#AdvocatesOfIndia #PunjabLaw #ChandigarhLawyers #ChandigarhAdvocates #ChandigarhLegal #BathindaLawyers #BathindaAdvocates #LawStudents #Advocates #CorporateLaw#LegalServicesAuthoritiesAct #ADRIndia #AlternativeDisputeResolution
M/s Golden Villas v. Bimla Devi
(Punjab & Haryana High Court)
🔑 Key Legal Principle
Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, conciliation is not optional for Lok Adalats — it is mandatory.
⚖️ Important Legal Takeaways
🔹 Mandatory Conciliation
Lok Adalat must first conduct conciliation proceedings under Section 22C(7) before deciding any dispute on merits.
🔹 Absence of Party is No Exception
Even if one party remains absent, the Lok Adalat cannot skip conciliation and proceed directly to adjudication.
🔹 Conditional Power to Adjudicate
The power of Lok Adalat to decide a case on merits under Section 22C(8) arises only after conciliation fails.
🔹 Statutory Procedure is Binding
Bypassing the conciliation process renders the Lok Adalat award legally unsustainable.
🔹 Consequences of Non-Compliance
Awards passed without following the mandatory conciliation procedure are liable to be set aside and remanded for fresh proceedings in accordance with law.
🧠 Practical Insight for Practitioners
Lok Adalat is not a substitute for a regular court trial unless statutory steps are followed.
Conciliation is the foundation.