Criteria

 Lok Adalat 

 Arbitrational Tribunals

 Nature

Established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, Lok Adalats focus on settlement through conciliation and compromise

Governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, these tribunals resolve disputes based on prior arbitration agreements between parties.

 Jurisdiction

They entertain civil cases (family disputes, motor accident claims, property matters) and compoundable criminal cases (minor offenses that can be legally compromised). They do not handle serious criminal cases.

They handle civil and commercial disputes (contractual issues, trade matters) but do not entertain criminal cases.

 Binding   Nature 

The decisions are binding, with no appeal allowed. If no compromise is reached, the case may go back to court.

Arbitration awards are binding, but they can be challenged in court on limited grounds, such as procedural errors or bias.

 Cost

No court fees are charged, making it highly cost-effective for the parties involved.

They can be expensive, as the parties must pay fees for the arbitrators, legal representation, and administrative costs.

 Example

In 2023, a National Lok Adalat settled over 25 lakh cases across India in one day, offering speedy relief to litigants.

A major arbitration case in 2022 involved Vodafone and the Indian government, concerning a tax dispute settled under an international arbitration tribunal.