Nari Adalats: Women-Only Courts for Alternative Dispute Resolution

Nari Adalats: Women-Only Courts for Alternative Dispute Resolution: The Indian government is introducing a ground-breaking project known as Nari Adalats, which are village-level women-only courts. These courts serve as alternative conflict resolution platforms for topics such as domestic violence, property rights, and patriarchal system challenges. By providing a platform for resolution outside of the traditional judicial system, the government aims to empower women and promote gender justice.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023

What is Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)?

• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) refers to the process of resolving conflicts outside of the legal system and formal trials.
• It covers various types of matters, including civil, commercial, industrial, and family disputes.
• A neutral third party helps the parties concerned communicate and establish a mutually acceptable agreement.
• ADR is non-adversarial and aims to reduce the burden on courts by facilitating cooperative resolutions.

Types of ADR:

1. Arbitration: Disputes are submitted to an arbitral tribunal that makes a binding decision on the matter.
2. Conciliation: A non-binding method in which an unbiased conciliator helps the parties find a mutually acceptable settlement.
3. Mediation: An impartial mediator helps parties communicate and work towards a mutually acceptable resolution without making decisions.
4. Negotiation: Parties engage in direct discussions without third-party intervention to arrive at a negotiated settlement.
5. Lok Adalat: Lok Adalats are volunteer organisations that deliver party-based justice by discussion, persuasion, and mutual consent.

What are Lok Adalats?

• Lok Adalats are a component of the Indian legal system that provide affordable and speedy justice through collaboration between citizens and judges.
• They have statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
• Lok Adalats have jurisdiction over pending court cases and matters that have not yet been brought before a court (pre-litigation stage).
• Lok Adalat rulings are considered civil court decrees, and their rewards are final and binding with no appellate process.
• Filing cases in Lok Adalats does not require payment of court fees.

The Nari Adalat Initiative:

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development, under the Sambal sub-scheme of Mission Shakti, will implement the Nari Adalats.
• Initially launched as a pilot project in 50 villages in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir, the initiative will expand to the entire country in the next six months.
• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Ministry of Rural Development, and MeitY’s Common Service Centres will collaborate on implementation.
• The scheme draws inspiration from the Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats (People’s Court of Women) previously run by the National Commission for Women.
• The Nari Adalats aim to focus on reconciliation, grievance redressal, and raising awareness of women’s rights and entitlements.

Structure of Nari Adalats:

• Each Nari Adalat in a village will consist of 7-9 members or Nyaya Sakhis (legal friends).
• Half of the members will be elected members of the gram panchayat, while the other half will be women with social standing, such as teachers, doctors, and social workers, nominated by villagers.
• The Nyaya Sakhis will appoint a Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi (top legal friend) to preside over the Nari Adalat for a six-month period.
• Although Nari Adalats do not hold legal status, their primary focus is on reconciliation, grievance redressal, and promoting awareness of rights and entitlements.