In a groundbreaking move towards enhancing access to justice, Kerala has become the first state in India to introduce online filing and hearing facilities for Permanent Lok Adalats (PLAs). The Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA) initiative, inaugurated on April 11, 2025, by Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin M Jamdar, marks a significant leap forward in improving the accessibility of legal services, especially for marginalized and remote communities.
The new online system is set to revolutionize the functioning of Permanent Lok Adalats, which are instrumental in offering affordable and speedy alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms outside the traditional courtroom setting. With this initiative, Kerala is poised to make legal recourse more inclusive and efficient, breaking down geographical barriers and making justice more accessible to all.
What is a Permanent Lok Adalat?
Permanent Lok Adalats are statutory bodies established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to provide an alternative to traditional court-based dispute resolution. These forums are meant for resolving disputes in cases relating to public utility services, including but not limited to, matters related to railways, telecommunications, and electricity, as well as disputes involving marginalised communities.
Permanent Lok Adalats are particularly notable for their efficiency. They are designed to dispose of cases in a time-bound manner and offer a less formal setting compared to conventional courts. Through conciliation and mediation, PLAs have helped thousands of people obtain quick resolutions to disputes that might otherwise have taken years in the regular judicial system.
The Importance of Online Services
Until now, litigants had to visit physical PLA centres located in cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode to file cases, even for the most minor of claims. This posed a significant challenge, especially for those residing in rural and remote areas, where travel to these centres could be both time-consuming and expensive.
With the launch of the online filing and hearing system, applicants from across Kerala will now be able to file cases from the comfort of their homes, without the need to travel to any designated centre. This move is expected to dramatically reduce the logistical and financial burden on citizens, ensuring that justice is not delayed or denied due to practical barriers.
Key Features of the Online Permanent Lok Adalat System
The online system being introduced by KELSA comes with a host of features that aim to improve efficiency, accessibility, and transparency in the functioning of PLAs:
- Online Filing: Litigants can file their claims, grievances, and petitions online from anywhere in the state. This eliminates the need for physical visits to PLA centres, making the process more convenient for those living in remote or inaccessible areas.
- Online Hearings: In addition to online filing, the new system also includes provisions for conducting online hearings. This will further eliminate the need for travel and facilitate quicker dispute resolution, especially for litigants who may not be able to attend physical hearings due to personal or logistical constraints.
- e-Sewa Kendras: For those who may not have access to digital devices or the internet, the Kerala government has set up e-Sewa Kendras in every district and taluk. These centres will assist individuals in filing cases online and attending hearings remotely, ensuring that no one is left behind due to technological limitations.
- Inclusivity and Accessibility: The overarching goal of the online PLA initiative is to ensure that justice is accessible to all, particularly marginalized communities. With provisions for online filing and hearings, those from underprivileged backgrounds, senior citizens, and people with disabilities will no longer face the challenges of accessing justice due to physical barriers.
- Technology Integration: The Kerala judiciary’s broader vision of using technology to make justice more accessible has been reflected in this digital transition. By embracing digital tools, the system will not only enhance efficiency but also improve transparency in the functioning of PLAs.
The Vision Behind the Initiative
Chief Justice Nitin M Jamdar, during the inauguration of the online PLA services, emphasized the significance of this initiative in making justice more inclusive and affordable for every citizen. He pointed out that Kerala’s judiciary has always been at the forefront of implementing reforms that ensure justice is not a privilege but a right that is accessible to all. The online Permanent Lok Adalat services are an extension of this commitment to deliver timely, cost-effective, and equitable justice.
Kerala’s move comes at a time when the Indian legal system is increasingly focusing on leveraging technology to enhance efficiency. The introduction of online services for PLAs is in line with the growing trend of digitization across public services, aiming to make governance more transparent and accessible.
Benefits for Marginalized Communities
One of the primary benefits of this initiative is its potential to greatly assist marginalized communities who have often struggled to access justice due to geographical, social, and economic barriers. Many individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, living in rural or remote areas, have found it difficult to navigate the physical process of filing claims at Permanent Lok Adalat centres.
By enabling online filing and hearings, KELSA is ensuring that even the most disadvantaged citizens can take part in the legal process without having to endure long travel times or incurring additional expenses. Furthermore, with the integration of e-Sewa Kendras, individuals who are not familiar with digital technologies will have a support system that guides them through the online filing and hearing process.
Full Operation by May 2025
The system is expected to be fully operational by the first week of May 2025, and once it is up and running, all Permanent Lok Adalats in Kerala will function with these new online facilities. This move will likely set a precedent for other states in India, encouraging them to explore similar digital reforms for their own legal services.
Kerala’s efforts to digitize the functioning of its PLAs align with the state’s broader vision of promoting e-governance and improving the ease of doing business, including in the legal sphere. It’s clear that the state is committed to setting the standard for digital transformation in India’s legal sector, which can inspire nationwide efforts to modernize the justice delivery system.
The Way Forward
The introduction of online Permanent Lok Adalat services in Kerala is a significant step toward transforming the legal landscape in India. As the system is rolled out in the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the efficiency of dispute resolution and whether it leads to a greater number of disputes being resolved at the grassroots level.
This initiative could potentially pave the way for similar digital innovations in other areas of legal service, making justice more accessible to all citizens, regardless of their location or socioeconomic background.
With the success of Kerala’s online Permanent Lok Adalat services, it is hoped that the rest of India will follow suit, ultimately bringing justice closer to the people and fostering a more inclusive, accessible, and transparent legal system for all.
Conclusion
Kerala’s initiative to launch online Permanent Lok Adalat services is a momentous development in the state’s legal landscape, ensuring that justice is not only accessible but also efficient and inclusive. With technology at its core, this move has the potential to revolutionize how disputes are resolved, bringing much-needed relief to citizens who have long struggled with the physical and financial barriers to accessing justice. As the service becomes fully operational, it stands as a model for other states in India to embrace digital solutions and create a more equitable legal system for the future.
