THE KERALA STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

No. 1903/B/99/KELSA                                                                     Dated 22.9.99

CIRCULAR I

Sub: - Reports of the weekly Adalat Programmes- furnishing of reg:-

Attention of the Chairmen, District Legal Services Authorities, is invited to decision No.1 arrived at the meeting held on 19.6.99. viz “it has been unanimously resolved to held Lok Adalats in every week and also to continue the present system of conducting monthly Adalats”. It is regretted to note that the programmes for the weekly Adalats and the results thereon are not sent to the State Authority by most of the District Authorities. The Adalat programmes and results are to be consolidated and sent to NALSA periodically. Most of the cases seen included in the Adalats are Motor Accident Claims. All endeavour should be taken to include other cases as well. In the circumstances, the District Chairmen of the District Legal Services Authorities are requested to forward the Adalat programme before the conduct of the same and statistics of the results thereof every month which must reach this office on or before 5^th of the succeeding month so as to enable this Authority to forward the consolidated statement to NALSA periodically. The report regarding the Lok Adalats conducted by the District Authorities from January to 30^th September, 99 should be forwarded to this Authority on or before 5^th October, 99 positively so as to enable this Authority to present the same in the meeting of the State Legal Services Authorities scheduled to be conducted by NALSA on 9.10.99 at Hyderabad.

Member Secretary

To

The Chairman (District Judge),
District Legal Services Authority,
District Court.
14 District Authorities.

THE KERALA STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

No.1954/D/99/KELSA                                                                       Dated 18.11.99

CIRCULAR II

Sub: Conducting of Daily Lok Adalats –reg.

“The National Legal Services Authority has suggested that the State Authorities should work out modalities for establishing permanent and continuous Lok Adalats in all the Districts. You would be aware of the resolution adopted in the meeting of the District Chairmen at Thiruvananthapuram regarding holding of weekly adalats.

The weekly adalats are now to be extended by holding daily adalats. This scheme has already been introduced in several States of the country. As far as our state is concerned the daily adalat scheme was inaugurated on 9.11.99 at Trissur at the time of observance of the legal services day.

The daily adalat scheme started functioning at Trissur at 9.11.99 itself. A retired District Judge is presiding over the adalat which is presently considering the prelitigation cases. A separate room has been set up for this purpose.

In the circumstances the Chairmen of all the District Legal Services Authorities will take necessary steps to introduce the daily adalats scheme by holding daily adalats at the District Head quarters. The Scheme has to be introduced at the earliest but not later than 1.1.2000.

Member Secretary

To

Stock File

 

THE KERALA STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

No.249/D/2001/KELSA                                                                Dated 28.2.2001

CIRCULAR III

Sub: Honorarium payable to the staff attending the Lok Adalats - instructions issued.
Ref:-Order No.B.412/99 Dated 7.7.99.

In the 6^th Authority meeting it was decided to grant Honorarium to the court staff who are engaged in Lok Adalats as follows until regular staff are appointed.

Junior Superintendent / Head Clerk -Rs.200/-
Upper Division Clerk / Lower Division Clerk - Rs.150/-
Higher Grade Process Servers / Process Server Peons - Rs.120/-

In the 7^th Authority meeting it was also decided to include Typist in the category of UDC / LDC in the matter of payment of Honorarium. The above rate was only for the court staff who attend Lok Adalats and legal literacy camps on holidays. For the week days the Honorarium shall be @ Rs.50, 40 & 30 respectively.

It has come to the notice of this Authority that Honorarium is being paid by the District Legal Services Authorities to the entire staff. It is highly improper and against the decision of the State Authority. Only the Junior Superintendent / Head Clerk, Upper Division Clerk / Lower Division Clerk / Typist, Higher Grade Process Server / Peons attending the Adalats are eligible for Honorarium.

In the circumstances, the Chairmen of all the District Legal Services Authorities are directed to see that the required number of staff alone are to be deputed for work relating to Adalats and they may be paid Honorarium on holidays and week days at the rates specified above. The Chairmen of District Legal Services Authorities are directed to inform the Chairmen of Taluk Committees also in the matter.

Member Secretary

To

All District legal Services Authorities.

Copy to:- A & B Sections

THE KERALA STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

No.414/B/2002/KELSA                                  Dated, Thiruvananthapuram, 7.5.2002

CIRCULAR IV

Sub: KELSA – Statement showing the details of cases settled and Reports 
of Special Lok Adalats conducted by the DLSAs & TLSCs – called for – reg:-

Ref:- Letter No. B/649/98/KELSA dated, 21.5.99 of the KELSA.

All the Chairmen of the District Legal Services Authorities were directed as per the letter cited to collect the details regarding the Lok Adalats conducted in all the Taluks in their respective District and to furnish a detailed statement to this Authority every month. Now, as directed by the Hon’ble Executive Chairman, Kerala State Legal Services Authority, all the Chairmen of the District Legal Services Authorities and the Taluk Legal Services Committees are requested to furnish their reports and the monthly statement of Lok Adalats conducted by the Authorities and the Committees in the new detailed proforma attached herewith from the month of June-2002 onwards to the State Authority directly so as to enable this Authority to watch the progress made in the conduct of Lok Adalats and to forward a consolidated statement to the National Legal Services Authority periodically.

All the Chairmen of the District Legal Services Authorities and Taluk Legal Services committees are also requested to forward the programme of Special Adalats, before the conduct of the same and the statistics of the result there of every month directly to the State Authority.

Again the Chairmen of the District Legal Services Authorities are requested to collect the details regarding the Lok Adalats conducted in all the Taluks in their respective District and to include the same also in the statement in the new detailed proforma to be furnished to the State Authority.

The reports and the statements must reach this office on or before the 15^th of every succeeding month without fail. If the Taluk Legal Services Committees are not having details to furnish, they may furnish a “Nil” statement in this regard.

Member Secretary

To

The Chairmen, 14 District Legal Services Authorities and
63 Taluk Legal Services Committees

Office of the Kerala State Legal Services Authority,
62/1293, A. C. S. Temple Road, Kaloor, Kochi – 17

30.08.2003

CIRCULAR NO. 2 / 03

Sub :- Disposal of petition – reg:-

Pre-litigation disputes received by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) / Taluk Legal Services Committee (TLSC) are seen referred to Lok Adalat. A good number of disputes so referred could be settled. In many cases, legal aid is given. That practice may be continued.

But, recurring instances are noticed that when the disputes could not be settled, for whatever reason, the petitioner is sent away expressing helplessness. The party again approaches this Authority with the same petition seeking legal aid. The result is that the petitioner has to run from pillar to post for legal aid. Such circumstance should be avoided. Statute provides and mandates a friendly, consoling and better approach and to get the grievance/dispute settled.

In case a pre-litigation dispute could not be settled in Lok Adalat, the matter shall be sent back to the DLSA / TLSC as the case may be. The DLSA / TLSC shall first examine whether the petitioner is entitled to free legal aid. If the petitioner is entitled to free legal aid, then it shall be examined whether he/she has got a cause to be pursued before a court of law or any other authority. 

Wherever doubt arises as to whether there is a cause to be pursued, opinion shall be obtained from a competent lawyer in the panel.

In appropriate cases the party concerned shall be given legal aid. If there is no cause to be perused the petitioner shall be informed accordingly and consoled.

In the event one is not entitled to free legal aid, but has a cause to be pursued, he be advised to approach a lawyer of his choice and get his problem solved.

(By Order)


(P.S. Gopinathan)
Member Secretary

Office of the Kerala State Legal Services Authority,
62/1293, A. C. S. Temple Road, Kaloor, Kochi – 17

30.08.2003

CIRCULAR NO. 3 / 2003

Sub :- Organization of Lok Adalat – reg:-

It is noticed that some of the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) and Taluk Legal Services Committees (TLSC) were organizing Lok Adalat once or twice in a week. But, in many stations, the number of cases referred to such Lok Adalats are minimal, likely 1, 2, 3 or 4. Arranging Lok Adalat for 1, 2, 3 or 4 cases is not only advisable and practical but also uneconomical. Lok Adalat need not be organized for the namesake. Whenever Lok Adalats are organized frequently, the District Authorities or Taluk Committees, as the case may be, shall see that sufficient number of cases, not less than 15 are referred.

The Chairman, DLSA shall request all the Judicial Officers in their District to sort out compoundable cases during roll call and to refer the cases to the Lok Adalat after hearing the parties. While doing so, the parties may be directed to appear before Lok Adalat to be conducted on the next 2nd Saturday or fourth Saturday, if it is satisfied that the case is of compoundable nature. Lok Adalat shall be constituted on such dates invariably whatever be the number of cases so referred.

If Lok Adalats are required to be organized on any day other than the 2nd and 4th Saturdays, the concerned Chairman shall see that sufficient number of cases as mentioned above are referred to such Special Lok Adalat.

(By Order)


(P.S. Gopinathan)
Member Secretary

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