Cyriac Joseph

BANGALORE: Lok Adalats, which are becoming more popular in legal circles for their quick procedures and low costs, will get a fillip when Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Cyriac Joseph takes part in the proceedings on Thursday. He will be the first Chief Justice of the High Court to do so. Mr. Joseph will be one among 35 judges of the court to participate in Lok Adalat proceedings.

In a programme conceived as part of the golden jubilee celebration of the High Court, Lok Adalats will have two sittings each day by two High Court judges, from Monday to Friday. These sittings will go on till November 2006 when the valedictory of the golden jubilee celebration is to be held. By then, all judges of the High Court, including the Chief Justice, would have presided over Lok Adalats.

Chairman of the State Legal Services Authority K.L. Manjunath told The Hindu on Monday that 15 cases had been listed before the Chief Justice. Mr. Joseph would continue to preside over Lok Adalats till November, he said.

Most of the cases disposed of are motor vehicle and claims cases. Lok Adalats are gaining popularity as cases are cleared by parties reaching a compromise, and there is no courtroom procedure to follow. Advocates, clients and judges participate in discussions.

The Karnataka High Court has taken a lead in organising Lok Adalats regularly, and the Supreme Court has acknowledged its role in popularising Lok Adalats.

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