Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
‘Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalat’ (Family Women Lok Adalat) represents a significant step towards providing accessible and speedy justice to women facing family disputes in India. These specialized Lok Adalats were conceptualized to address the unique challenges women encounter within the family structure, often hindering their access to traditional judicial processes. Established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, they aim to resolve disputes amicably, focusing on conciliation and compromise, particularly in matters related to divorce, maintenance, and child custody.
What is Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalat?
Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalat are essentially benches of the Lok Adalat system, specifically constituted to deal with cases pertaining to family disputes where at least one party is a woman. They operate on the principle of amicable settlement through mediation and conciliation, offering a less adversarial and more accessible forum for dispute resolution.
Establishment and Composition
- These adalats are established at the district level by the District Legal Services Authority.
- The bench typically comprises a retired judicial officer, a social worker well-versed in family matters, and a female advocate.
- The presence of a female advocate is crucial to ensure sensitivity and understanding of women’s issues.
Functions and Jurisdiction
- Dispute Resolution: Primarily focuses on resolving disputes related to divorce (mutual consent and contested), maintenance (interim and permanent), child custody, and guardianship.
- Conciliation & Mediation: Employs conciliatory methods to facilitate a settlement between parties, prioritizing the well-being of all involved, especially children.
- Referral from Courts: Cases can be directly filed or referred from family courts.
- Time-bound Resolution: Aims to resolve disputes within a specified timeframe, typically within a few sittings.
Significance
These adalats are particularly important because they address several systemic issues:
- Accessibility: They provide a more accessible and less intimidating environment for women, who may be hesitant to navigate the formal court system.
- Speedy Justice: They offer a faster resolution compared to lengthy court proceedings.
- Reduced Litigation Costs: The process is generally less expensive than traditional litigation.
- Empowerment: By facilitating amicable settlements, they empower women to take control of their lives and secure their rights.
Recent Developments
Several states have actively promoted the establishment and functioning of Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats. National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) regularly issues guidelines and conducts awareness programs to enhance their effectiveness. (Knowledge cutoff: 2023)
Conclusion
Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats represent a progressive approach to family dispute resolution in India, prioritizing accessibility, speed, and amicable settlements. By providing a specialized forum sensitive to the needs of women, these adalats contribute significantly to strengthening the justice delivery system and promoting social justice. Continued efforts to expand their reach and enhance their effectiveness are crucial for ensuring equitable access to justice for all.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.