The first quarterly National Lok Adalat for 2026 will be held across all district headquarters in Nagaland on March 14, in line with the nationwide observance under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA).
A total of 11 Lok Adalat benches will be set up by the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) to facilitate the settlement of cases through the people’s court mechanism.
The Lok Adalat is conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and the National Legal Services Authority (Lok Adalats) Regulations, 2009. Under the system, four National Lok Adalats are organised each year by the DLSAs under the State Legal Services Authority to promote amicable settlement of disputes.
Both pre-litigation and pending cases can be taken up for settlement during the National Lok Adalat. These include civil and compoundable criminal cases such as cheque dishonour cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery cases, motor accident claim cases, labour dispute cases, and disputes related to public utility services including electricity and water bills. Matrimonial and family disputes, excluding divorce cases, land acquisition cases, service matters including pension cases, revenue matters, and other ancillary disputes may also be taken up. Consumer cases, intellectual property rights matters, and cases pending before various quasi-judicial authorities may also be considered, while non-compoundable criminal cases are excluded.
The authorities have informed that citizens seeking settlement of disputes may approach the front offices of the District Legal Services Authorities located in district court premises or the office of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority at the NPA Building in the DC Office Complex, Kohima.
For further assistance, individuals may also contact the toll-free National Legal Services Authority helpline at 15100, call the NSLSA helpline at 9118003453883, or email nslsa.nagaland@yahoo.in.
The disposal data of cases from each DLSA will later be uploaded on the official web portal of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority.