National Lok Adalat

The Legal Aid Committee of CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, organised a visit to the National Lok Adalat held at Shivajinagar, Pune, as part of its efforts to provide students with exposure to the justice delivery system. The visit was attended by fifth-year students of the Batch of 2022–27 along with volunteers of the Legal Aid Committee. The initiative aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical legal education and practical experience by enabling students to observe dispute resolution proceedings and understand the functioning of Lok Adalats in practice.

During the visit, students were introduced to the objectives, structure, and functioning of the National Lok Adalat and gained an understanding of its significance as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. They observed proceedings involving different categories of disputes and developed an appreciation of how matters can be resolved through negotiation, mutual consent, compromise, and settlement. The students observed proceedings at the Motor Vehicles Court, where matters relating to motor vehicle offences and claims were being addressed. This exposure enabled them to understand the practical dimensions of disputes involving road accidents, compensation, liability, and related matters.

The students also observed proceedings concerning civil disputes, which provided insight into the manner in which parties may resolve conflicts without undergoing prolonged conventional litigation. They witnessed the emphasis placed on communication, conciliation, settlement, and mutually acceptable solutions. The experience demonstrated that Lok Adalats can facilitate quicker, simpler, and cost-effective dispute resolution while reducing the burden on regular courts. Students appreciated that the process is not merely focused on disposal of cases, but also seeks to encourage consensual resolution while considering the interests and concerns of the parties involved.

The visit was relevant to the objectives of the Legal Aid Committee, which seeks to promote legal awareness, access to justice, and a sense of professional and social responsibility among law students. Students gained an understanding of the role played by legal professionals, legal aid institutions, and dispute resolution forums in helping individuals identify their legal rights, understand available remedies, and access appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms. The experience also highlighted the importance of ensuring that financial, social, or procedural barriers do not prevent individuals from seeking justice.

Observing proceedings encouraged students to reflect on the practical challenges associated with dispute resolution, including the need for effective communication, informed decision-making, patience, and sensitivity towards litigants. It strengthened their appreciation of fairness, accessibility, efficiency, and the rule of law. The visit also reinforced the importance of ethical legal practice and the responsibility of future lawyers to contribute towards a justice system that is responsive to the needs of society.

Overall, the National Lok Adalat visit was an enriching and valuable experiential learning activity. It successfully complemented classroom teaching with observation of legal proceedings and strengthened students’ understanding of alternative dispute resolution, legal aid, and access to justice. The experience encouraged students to view their future professional role not only through the lens of knowledge, but also through the values of service, responsibility, empathy, and commitment to justice.