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NALSA's 3rd National Resolves 2.10 Crore Cases Worth ₹13,589 Crore
In a landmark display of at scale, the successfully conducted its 3rd National of on , settling more than 2.10 crore cases and resolving disputes valued at over ₹13,589 crore. The initiative, which saw participation from every level of the judiciary across 26 States and 7 Union Territories, underscores the growing reliance on to tackle India’s staggering .
According to provisional data released by NALSA as of 7:00 PM on the day of the Adalat, a total of 2,10,39,112 cases were resolved, with a cumulative settlement value of ₹13,589.28 crore. Of these, 1,90,75,743 were —disputes that never entered formal court proceedings—while 19,63,369 were . The numbers are particularly striking given that data from Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Delhi is still awaited, as those States are scheduled to hold their National Lok Adalats on , , and , respectively.
A Nationwide Exercise in
The National transformed courtrooms and tribunal halls across the country into forums for dialogue and . benches were constituted from High Courts down to taluka courts, bringing together judicial officers, advocates, para-legal volunteers, and litigants. The exercise was designed to offer litigants—many of whom had been awaiting resolution for years—an opportunity to conclude disputes through mutually agreed settlements rather than .
The matters taken up covered an extraordinarily broad spectrum: cheque bounce cases under the , motor accident claims, matrimonial disputes, labour matters, consumer complaints, land acquisition cases, succession disputes, arbitration claims of small businesses, , traffic challans, bank recovery matters, service disputes, revenue cases, and public utility grievances. NALSA specifically prioritised long-pending matters identified through the , ensuring that the oldest cases received focused attention.
Judicial Endorsement of Consensual Justice
The event received strong backing from the highest echelons of the judiciary. Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, who serves as Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, emphasised that must become a lived reality reaching every doorstep. He urged citizens to make use of Lok Adalats as a faster and simpler means of resolving disputes and fostering harmony between parties.
Similarly, Justice Vikram Nath, Judge of the and Executive Chairman of NALSA, highlighted the role of Lok Adalats in addressing through . He observed that the process helps reduce long-pending cases while enabling parties to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions without incurring prolonged litigation costs and delays. These statements reflect a conscious shift in judicial policy toward encouraging as a mainstream alternative.
and Incentives for Settlement
One of the most significant features of the system is the legal status of its awards. Every award passed by a carries the status and finality of a and is on the parties. Importantly, such awards are , providing a definitive end to the dispute. Litigants who settle their cases through a are also entitled to a paid, creating a tangible financial incentive to participate.
This nature, combined with the cost savings and speed, makes Lok Adalats an attractive option for parties weary of protracted litigation. For legal professionals, the expanding role of Lok Adalats means a growing need to counsel clients on the benefits of consensual resolution and to develop skills in and .
Impact on and the Broader Legal Services Framework
The 3rd National of is not an isolated event but part of NALSA’s comprehensive legal services framework. That framework includes , legal awareness programmes, and initiatives, , legal services clinics, and the work of panel lawyers and para-legal volunteers. NALSA has repeatedly stated that these efforts are aimed at ensuring that no individual is denied justice because of economic or other disabilities.
By resolving over 2.10 crore cases in a single day, the National has made a measurable dent in India’s pending caseload. While the exact impact on the overall pendency figures will be clearer once data from the remaining States is compiled, the scale of this exercise suggests that Lok Adalats can serve as a powerful complement to traditional . The use of the NJDG to identify and prioritise the oldest cases further demonstrates how technology can be leveraged to improve judicial efficiency.
Conclusion
The 3rd National of represents a milestone in India’s pursuit of accessible, affordable, and timely justice. By settling over 2.10 crore cases and resolving disputes worth more than ₹13,589 crore, NALSA has demonstrated that is not merely an alternative but a necessity for a functioning justice system. For legal professionals, the growing prominence of Lok Adalats signals a shift in practice—one that values settlement skills as highly as courtroom advocacy. As the data from the remaining States trickles in, the full scope of this achievement will become even clearer, reinforcing the message that justice delivered is justice truly served.
