In a coordinated effort to ease the judicial burden and promote alternative dispute resolution, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands will witness a major legal event with the National Lok Adalat scheduled for June 21, 2025, being held simultaneously at multiple levels of the judiciary. The event aims to settle both pending and pre-litigation disputes through a consensual mechanism outside conventional courtroom procedures.
The High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC) of the Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court at Port Blair will conduct its National Lok Adalat from 9:30 am on the designated day, covering both existing cases pending before the High Court and pre-litigation matters that are expected to be filed. The Adalat will convene within the High Court complex in Port Blair and will operate under the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism, promoting settlements between contesting parties with mutual consent.
According to officials, joint applications submitted either by the concerned parties or through their legal counsel will be accepted until 5 pm on June 6, 2025. These applications can be physically submitted at the HCLSC office located within the Circuit Bench premises or sent via email to hcourt.and@nic.in. Applications submitted after the cutoff date will not be entertained for this round of the Lok Adalat but will be carried over to the next scheduled session.
To ensure smooth proceedings, the organizing body has clarified that no reconstruction of case files will be undertaken for records that are unavailable before the Lok Adalat Bench. Consequently, the cause list, the schedule of cases to be taken up, will be prepared solely based on the availability of complete case records from relevant departments.
Simultaneously, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of A&N Islands is organizing parallel sessions of the National Lok Adalat in the District Court Complex at Port Blair, the Sub-Divisional Court Complex at Mayabunder, and the Circuit Court at Diglipur. These sessions aim to address a broad spectrum of disputes through conciliation and compromise.
In addition to compoundable cases currently pending before the courts, the Lok Adalat will also admit pre-litigation matters, disputes not yet formally brought to court. These include a wide array of categories such as:
- Cheque bounce cases under Section 138 of the NI Act
- Money recovery claims
- Labour-related disputes
- Electricity and water bill issues (excluding non-compoundable ones)
- Maintenance claims
- Civil disputes
- Matters under the Consumer Protection Act
The public is encouraged to submit any such disputes in writing to the Secretary, DLSA, Port Blair, by June 16, 2025. This will allow for timely processing and inclusion of cases in the final cause list for resolution on June 21.
Lok Adalats, held under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), provide an informal platform for speedy resolution of legal issues and reduce the strain on judicial infrastructure. The system has gained traction in recent years, particularly in remote regions such as the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, where accessibility to regular court proceedings may be hindered by logistical challenges.
The June 21 event represents the second National Lok Adalat of 2025 and is expected to resolve a significant number of disputes amicably. For many participants, it presents an opportunity to settle long-standing issues without the expense and duration of a full trial.
By fostering cooperation between litigants and enabling quick redressal, the National Lok Adalat continues to serve as a crucial tool for inclusive justice delivery in India’s far-flung territories.
