2nd National Lok Adalat 2026 Settles Over 2 Crore Cases with Rs 3440 Crore in Settlements

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has announced that the 2nd National Lok Adalat of 2026, conducted across the country on 9 May 2026, facilitated the amicable settlement of 2,07,66,548 cases with an overall settlement amount of Rs 3,440.81 crores. The Lok Adalat was held under the leadership of Justice Surya Kant, Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, and Justice Vikram Nath, Executive Chairman of NALSA.

Breakdown of Cases Settled

Of the total cases settled, 1,87,63,883 were pre-litigation matters — disputes that had not yet entered the formal court system. The remaining 20,02,665 were pending cases across various courts. This pre-litigation settlement figure is significant because it demonstrates the capacity of the Lok Adalat mechanism to resolve disputes before they add to the existing backlog of the judicial system.

NALSA noted that the figures exclude seven States and two Union Territories where the National Lok Adalat was scheduled on later dates, as well as jurisdictions from which data was still being consolidated. The comparatively lower figures compared to certain previous National Lok Adalats are primarily attributable to this staggered schedule.

Legal Framework of Lok Adalats

Lok Adalats are constituted under Section 19 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Awards passed by Lok Adalats are deemed to be decrees of a civil court and are final and binding on the parties. No appeal lies against a Lok Adalat award under any law in force. A distinctive feature of the Lok Adalat system is the refund of court fees paid by the parties, making it a cost-effective mechanism for dispute resolution.

National Lok Adalats are typically held multiple times a year across all districts and High Court benches simultaneously. They cover a wide range of disputes including motor accident claims, matrimonial disputes, labour disputes, electricity matters, bank recovery cases, and compoundable criminal cases.

Significance for India's Justice Delivery System

With over 5 crore cases pending across Indian courts, the Lok Adalat mechanism serves as a critical pressure valve for the overburdened judicial system. The settlement of over 2 crore cases in a single day demonstrates the scale at which alternative dispute resolution can function when institutional support is in place. For litigants, the process offers the twin benefits of speed and finality — matters that might take years in the regular court system can be resolved in a single sitting.

The success of National Lok Adalats also underscores the importance of strengthening pre-litigation mediation and conciliation mechanisms under the Mediation Act, 2023, which provides a broader statutory framework for out-of-court dispute resolution in India.