Lok Adalat Member (Judicial)
Overview
Lok Adalat Members (Judicial) are presiding officers, typically retired judges from the High Court, District Court, or serving/retired Judicial Magistrates, appointed by the DLSA/SLSA to facilitate dispute resolution through conciliation. They lead Lok Adalat benches, ensuring settlements are fair and legally binding.
Key Responsibilities
- Facilitate conciliation between parties in civil and minor criminal cases (e.g., family disputes, motor accident claims, compoundable offenses).
- Ensure settlements are voluntary, fair, and legally binding under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
- Issue awards (settlement agreements) that have the force of a court decree.
- Coordinate with Legal Aid Advocates and other members for case management.
- Report case outcomes to the DLSA/SLSA or supervising authority.
Educational Pathway
- Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor of Laws (LLB), either a 5-year integrated program (e.g., BA LLB, BBA LLB) or a 3-year LLB after a bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, B.Com, B.Sc).
- Optional: Master of Laws (LLM) specializing in ADR, civil law, or criminal law.
- Experience: 7-15 years of judicial experience as a Judicial Magistrate, District Judge, or High Court Judge, or extensive legal practice as an advocate. Appointed by DLSA/SLSA based on experience and recommendations.
Admission Process
- Complete 12th grade in any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board.
- Enroll in a 5-year integrated LLB program or complete a 3-year bachelor’s degree followed by a 3-year LLB.
- Clear national or state-level law entrance exams for LLB admission.
- After LLB, either clear state judicial service exams and gain 7-15 years of judicial experience or practice law as an advocate for 7-15 years. Apply for Lok Adalat Member (Judicial) roles through DLSA/SLSA notifications.
Entrance Exam
- For LLB: CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), AILET (All India Law Entrance Test), LSAT India, or state-level exams like MH-CET Law, AP LAWCET, TS LAWCET.
- For Judicial Service: State Judicial Service Exams (e.g., PCS-J for Uttar Pradesh, Delhi Judicial Service Exam, MP Judicial Service Exam).
- For Lok Adalat Appointment: No specific exam; selection based on judicial/legal experience and DLSA/SLSA appointment.
Top Institutions
Government:
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru
- National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad
- National Law University (NLU), Delhi
- The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
- National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur
Private:
- Symbiosis Law School, Pune
- Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat
- Amity Law School, Noida
- Christ University School of Law, Bengaluru
- ICFAI Law School, Hyderabad
Course Duration
- 5-year integrated LLB or 3-year LLB after a 3-year bachelor’s degree (total 6 years).
- LLM (optional): 1-2 years.
- Experience: 7-15 years of judicial or legal practice.
Fee Structure
- Government: ₹1-3 lakh for the entire 5-year LLB course (e.g., NLSIU: ~₹2.5 lakh total).
- Private: ₹5-15 lakh for the entire 5-year LLB course (e.g., Jindal Global: ~₹6-8 lakh per year).
Lok Adalat Member (Non-Judicial/Technical)
Overview
Non-Judicial/Technical Members are experts, such as retired bureaucrats, social workers, or professionals (e.g., doctors, engineers for specific disputes), appointed to Lok Adalat benches to provide domain expertise alongside Judicial Members. They assist in resolving disputes through conciliation, appointed by DLSA/SLSA.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide expertise in specific areas (e.g., medical disputes, labor issues, motor accident claims).
- Assist Judicial Members in facilitating conciliation and drafting settlements.
- Ensure settlements reflect technical accuracy and fairness.
- Engage with parties to promote amicable resolutions.
- Report case outcomes to DLSA/SLSA.
Educational Pathway
- Bachelor’s Degree: Relevant field-specific degree, e.g., Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS) for medical disputes, B.Tech for technical disputes, Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), or Bachelor’s in Public Administration for social/legal aid roles.
- Optional: Master’s degree (e.g., MSW, MBA, M.Tech) or professional certifications (e.g., medical or engineering certifications).
- Experience: 5-10 years in a relevant field, such as public administration, social work, or technical professions. Appointed by DLSA/SLSA based on expertise and recommendations.
Admission Process
- Complete 12th grade in a relevant stream (e.g., Science for MBBS/B.Tech, any stream for BSW/BA) with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board.
- Pursue a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field (e.g., MBBS, B.Tech, BSW, BA in Public Administration).
- Clear entrance exams for degree programs or professional certifications.
- Gain 5-10 years of professional experience and apply for Lok Adalat Member (Non-Judicial/Technical) roles through DLSA/SLSA notifications.
Entrance Exam
- For Bachelor’s Degree: NEET for MBBS, JEE Main for B.Tech, university-specific exams or merit-based admission for BSW/BA.
- For Lok Adalat Appointment: No specific exam; selection based on experience and DLSA/SLSA appointment.
Top Institutions
Government:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi (for MBBS)
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi (for B.Tech)
- University of Delhi, Delhi (for BSW/BA)
- Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi (for administration)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi (for BA/BSW)
Private:
- St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai (for BSW/BA)
- Christ University, Bengaluru (for BSW/BA)
- Amity University, Noida (for B.Tech/BSW)
- Symbiosis International University, Pune (for administration)
- Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal (for B.Tech)
Course Duration
- Bachelor’s degree (MBBS, B.Tech, BSW, BA): 3-5 years.
- Master’s degree (optional): 1-2 years.
- Experience: 5-10 years in the relevant field.
Fee Structure
- Government: ₹50,000-₹5 lakh for bachelor’s degrees (e.g., MBBS: ₹1-2 lakh total, BSW/BA: ₹50,000-₹1 lakh).
- Private: ₹5-20 lakh for bachelor’s degrees (e.g., MBBS/B.Tech: ₹10-20 lakh, BSW/BA: ₹2-5 lakh).
Legal Aid Advocate
Overview
Legal Aid Advocates in Lok Adalats provide free or subsidized legal assistance to parties, particularly those from economically weaker sections, to facilitate dispute resolution. Appointed by DLSA/SLSA, they are typically advocates with experience in conciliation or mediation.
Key Responsibilities
- Represent parties in Lok Adalat proceedings, ensuring access to justice.
- Assist in drafting settlement agreements and legal documents.
- Facilitate conciliation and mediate between disputing parties.
- Educate litigants about Lok Adalat processes and legal rights.
- Coordinate with Lok Adalat Members and DLSA/SLSA for case management.
Educational Pathway
- Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor of Laws (LLB), either a 5-year integrated program or a 3-year LLB after a bachelor’s degree.
- Optional: Master of Laws (LLM) specializing in ADR, human rights, or civil law.
- Experience: 2-5 years of legal practice as an advocate, preferably in mediation or legal aid, with enrollment in a State Bar Council.
Admission Process
- Complete 12th grade in any stream with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board.
- Enroll in a 5-year integrated LLB program or complete a 3-year bachelor’s degree followed by a 3-year LLB.
- Clear national or state-level law entrance exams for LLB admission.
- After LLB, enroll with a State Bar Council, practice law for 2-5 years, and apply for Legal Aid Advocate roles through DLSA/SLSA notifications.
Entrance Exam
- For LLB: CLAT, AILET, LSAT India, or state-level exams like MH-CET Law, AP LAWCET, TS LAWCET.
- For Bar Enrollment: All India Bar Examination (AIBE) post-LLB.
- For Legal Aid Advocate: No specific exam; selection based on experience and DLSA/SLSA appointment.
Top Institutions
Government:
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru
- National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad
- National Law University (NLU), Delhi
- The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), Kolkata
- National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur
Private:
- Symbiosis Law School, Pune
- Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat
- Amity Law School, Noida
- Christ University School of Law, Bengaluru
- ICFAI Law School, Hyderabad
Course Duration
- 5-year integrated LLB or 3-year LLB after a 3-year bachelor’s degree (total 6 years).
- LLM (optional): 1-2 years.
- Experience: 2-5 years of legal practice.
Fee Structure
- Government: ₹1-3 lakh for the entire 5-year LLB course.
- Private: ₹5-15 lakh for the entire 5-year LLB course.
Court Clerk (Lok Adalat)
Overview
Court Clerks in Lok Adalats handle clerical tasks such as record-keeping, data entry, and managing case files during Lok Adalat sessions. These entry-level roles support the administrative operations, requiring basic education and organizational skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain records of Lok Adalat cases and settlements.
- Perform data entry for case details and awards.
- File and organize documents, including settlement agreements and notices.
- Assist Lok Adalat Members and Legal Aid Advocates with clerical tasks.
- Coordinate with DLSA/SLSA for session logistics and reporting.
Educational Pathway
- Minimum Qualification: 12th grade or a bachelor’s degree in arts (BA), commerce (B.Com), or equivalent.
- Optional: Diploma in office management or computer applications.
- Skills: Proficiency in typing, basic computer skills, and knowledge of the local language.
- Experience: Entry-level role; no prior experience required, though familiarity with court or ADR processes is an advantage.
Admission Process
- Complete 12th grade in any stream with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board.
- Pursue a bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, B.Com) for higher clerical roles (optional).
- Optionally, pursue a diploma in office management or computer applications.
- Apply for Court Clerk roles through DLSA/SLSA recruitment exams, Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams, or state-specific Lok Adalat notifications.
Entrance Exam
- For Bachelor’s Degree: University-specific entrance exams or merit-based admission for BA/B.Com.
- For Clerk Roles: SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) or Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) exams, or state-specific recruitment exams for Lok Adalats (including typing tests).
Top Institutions
Government:
- University of Delhi, Delhi
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
- Government Polytechnic Colleges (for diplomas)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai
Private:
- St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
- Christ University, Bengaluru
- Amity University, Noida
- Lovely Professional University, Punjab
- Manipal University, Jaipur
Course Duration
- Bachelor’s degree (BA, B.Com): 3 years.
- Diploma in office management or computer applications: 1 year (optional).
Fee Structure
- Government: ₹10,000-₹50,000 for bachelor’s degrees; ₹5,000-₹20,000 for diplomas.
- Private: ₹50,000-₹3 lakh for bachelor’s degrees; ₹20,000-₹50,000 for diplomas.
Stenographer (Lok Adalat)
Overview
Stenographers in Lok Adalats record proceedings, transcribe discussions, and assist with documentation during conciliation sessions. These entry-level roles require proficiency in shorthand and typing to support the Lok Adalat process.
Key Responsibilities
- Transcribe Lok Adalat proceedings and draft settlement summaries.
- Record discussions using shorthand or stenography equipment, often in the local language.
- Assist with documentation and correspondence for cases.
- Maintain accurate records of proceedings and awards.
- Support Court Clerks and Legal Aid Advocates with administrative tasks.
Educational Pathway
- Minimum Qualification: 12th grade or a bachelor’s degree in arts (BA), commerce (B.Com), or equivalent.
- Optional: Diploma in stenography or computer applications.
- Skills: Proficiency in shorthand (80-120 wpm), typing (40-60 wpm), and knowledge of the local language.
- Experience: Entry-level role; no prior experience required, though stenography skills are essential.
Admission Process
- Complete 12th grade in any stream with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board.
- Pursue a bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, B.Com) for higher roles (optional).
- Enroll in a diploma or certificate course in stenography.
- Apply for Stenographer roles through DLSA/SLSA recruitment exams, SSC exams, or state-specific Lok Adalat notifications.
Entrance Exam
- For Bachelor’s Degree: University-specific entrance exams or merit-based admission for BA/B.Com.
- For Stenographer Roles: SSC Stenographer Grade C & D exams or state-specific recruitment exams for Lok Adalats (including shorthand and typing tests).
Top Institutions
Government:
- University of Delhi, Delhi
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
- Government Polytechnic Colleges (for stenography diplomas)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai
Private:
- St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
- Christ University, Bengaluru
- Amity University, Noida
- Lovely Professional University, Punjab
- Manipal University, Jaipur
Course Duration
- Bachelor’s degree (BA, B.Com): 3 years.
- Stenography diploma or certificate: 6 months to 1 year.
Fee Structure
- Government: ₹10,000-₹50,000 for bachelor’s degrees; ₹5,000-₹20,000 for stenography diplomas.
- Private: ₹50,000-₹3 lakh for bachelor’s degrees; ₹20,000-₹50,000 for stenography diplomas.
Process Server (Lok Adalat)
Overview
Process Servers in Lok Adalats deliver legal documents, such as notices or summons, to parties involved in cases scheduled for conciliation. These entry-level roles ensure proper notification of Lok Adalat sessions, requiring basic education and mobility.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver notices, summons, or other documents to parties for Lok Adalat sessions.
- Ensure timely and accurate service of documents.
- Report delivery status to the DLSA/SLSA and maintain records.
- Assist Lok Adalat Members and Court Clerks with logistical tasks.
- Comply with procedures for document service.
Educational Pathway
- Minimum Qualification: 10th or 12th grade from a recognized board.
- Optional: Diploma in court administration or vocational training in legal support services.
- Experience: Entry-level role; no prior experience required, though knowledge of the local language and area is an advantage.
Admission Process
- Complete 10th or 12th grade in any stream from a recognized board.
- Pursue a diploma in court administration or vocational training (optional).
- Apply for Process Server roles through DLSA/SLSA recruitment exams, SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) exams, or state-specific Lok Adalat notifications.
Entrance Exam
- For Process Server Roles: SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) exam or state-specific recruitment exams for Lok Adalats.
- For Diploma: Merit-based admission or institute-specific entrance tests for vocational training.
Top Institutions
Government:
- Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India
- National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), New Delhi
- State Government Polytechnic Colleges
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
- Government colleges offering vocational courses
Private:
- Amity University, Noida
- Lovely Professional University, Punjab
- Manipal University, Jaipur
- Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune
- Christ University, Bengaluru
Course Duration
- Diploma in court administration or vocational training: 6 months to 1 year.
Fee Structure
- Government: ₹5,000-₹20,000 for diplomas or vocational training.
- Private: ₹20,000-₹50,000 for diplomas or vocational training.
Peon and Support Staff (Lok Adalat)
Overview
Peons and Support Staff in Lok Adalats perform basic operational tasks, such as maintaining session venues, assisting with logistics, and supporting Lok Adalat Members and administrative staff. These entry-level roles require minimal education and ensure smooth functioning of conciliation sessions.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain cleanliness and order at Lok Adalat venues.
- Assist with logistical tasks, such as arranging files or setting up session rooms.
- Support Lok Adalat Members, Court Clerks, and Process Servers with miscellaneous tasks.
- Manage basic office supplies and deliver internal correspondence.
- Ensure session venues are ready for proceedings.
Educational Pathway
- Minimum Qualification: 8th or 10th grade from a recognized board.
- Optional: Vocational training in office support or basic administration.
- Experience: Entry-level role; no prior experience required, though knowledge of the local language is an advantage.
Admission Process
- Complete 8th or 10th grade from a recognized board (12th not mandatory).
- Pursue vocational training in office support (optional).
- Apply for Peon or Support Staff roles through DLSA/SLSA recruitment exams, SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) exams, or state-specific Lok Adalat notifications.
Entrance Exam
- For Peon/Support Staff Roles: SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) exam or state-specific recruitment exams for Lok Adalats.
- For Vocational Training: Merit-based admission or institute-specific tests.
Top Institutions
Government:
- Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India
- National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), New Delhi
- State Government Polytechnic Colleges
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
- Government schools offering basic education
Private:
- Amity University, Noida
- Lovely Professional University, Punjab
- Manipal University, Jaipur
- Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune
- Christ University, Bengaluru
Course Duration
- Vocational training or certificate courses: 3-6 months (optional).
Fee Structure
- Government: ₹2,000-₹10,000 for vocational training or certificates.
- Private: ₹10,000-₹30,000 for vocational training or certificates.