Over 10 lakh cases worth settlement value of nearly 3228 crore rupees disposed of in last National Lok Adalat of the year 2020 organised through both virtual and physical mode in the country. The Lok Adalat was organized under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority on 12th of this month in which requisite safety protocol in view of the COVID-19 pandemic was strictly observed.<br />'' <br />''A total number of 8152 Benches were constituted by 31 State Legal Services Authority to conduct the National Lok Adalat. It was successful in disposing of 10 lakh 42 thousand 816 cases. Out of the total cases disposed of, over five lakh 60 thousand cases were at the pre-litigation stage and 4 lakh 82 thousand cases were those which were pending in the courts. <br />''<br />''According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, Lok Adalat, conducted by National Legal Services Authority is an alternative method of dispute resolution. It is a forum where disputes or cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled amicably.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Under the Act, the award made by the Lok Adalats is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no appeal lies against such an award before any court of law. National Lok Adalats are conducted quarterly for settlement of cases in all the courts from the Supreme Court of India to the Taluk Courts on a single day.</span>''<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; color: #222222; line-height: 22px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><br />''</p>