From ADR to ODR, NALSA ready to take giant leap: Justice Ramana

NEW DELHI: Covid-19 pandemic caused six month disruption in settlement of cases has spurred National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to improvise the traditional alternative dispute resolution (ADR) into online dispute resolution (ODR) which will now be spread to improve access to justice across India, including hinterland.
NALSA executive chairman and most senior Supreme Court Judge N V Ramana said at a time when coronavirus has disrupted the justice delivery system, "there is an enormous pressure to maintain austerity, increase efficiency and yet deliver quality legal service while working remotely."
"Here, technology has played a critical role in this transformation and the Legal Services Authority is trying to keep up with changing times by using technology as its strongest tool. Online Lok Adalat is one such solution. A well-organized digital solution in the form of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), a combination of technology and ADR, will give new momentum to Lok Adalats in India," he said while commending the achievement of Delhi State Legal Services Authority's huge success in e-Lok Adalat on Saturday.
The e-Lok Adalat organised by DSLSA headed by Justice Hima Kohli with the help of Delhi HC Chief Justice D N Patel set up 77 benches for quick settlement of cases through video-conferencing and achieved a resolution of record 8,112 cases involving Rs 47 crore in a single day. The Awards passed by Lok Adalats are binding and bring a permanent closure to the litigation based on settlement arrived between contesting parties.
Justice Ramana commended Justice Patel's untiring efforts in innovating methods for expeditious resolution of cases and made special mention of Justice Kohli for her judicious mix of compassion with justice delivery. The SC judge said, "Justice Kohli as DLSA chairperson has launched a Mobile Application to assist persons in need, particularly domestic violence victims. She not only presided over the High-Powered Committee set up to decongest Delhi prisons, but also came up with novel ideas to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in prisons."
Justice Ramana flagged certain concerns. "The challenge lies in popularizing the idea of e-Lok Adalat at the grassroots level, and taking steps to provide access in those areas where people do not have the facility of video conferencing. It is important to ensure that e-Lok Adalats remain as peoples’ Adalats, as well as retain their simplicity and ensure wider reach. Another challenge is to ensure high standards of privacy and data security," he said.
From April to June, under the guidance of NALSA, Legal Services Authorities have provided effective legal representation to the arrested persons during this period. "As many as 16,646 arrested persons were provided legal assistance at the remand stage. Bail applications were filed in 6,812 cases, out of which 4,601 were granted bail. Also, 495 convicts were provided legal assistance in filing appeals," he said.
During the same period, in domestic violence cases, legal assistance and advice was provided to 3,443 women, and 662 cases were settled through mediation. In 441 cases, petitions were filed in the courts. The Legal Services Institutions across the nation, in coordination with the District Administration and different NGOs, are reaching out to millions of people to meet legal needs which have cropped up during the pandemic, Justice Ramana said.