Justice NV Ramana presides over Delhi Legal Services Authority's first Online Lok Adalat

The Delhi State Legal Services Authority, under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), organised its first-ever online Lok Adalat in Delhi on Saturday..The accomplishment ceremony was attended by legal aid functionaries across India. It was presided over by Justice NV Ramana, Supreme Court Judge Executive Chairman, NALSA. .According to NALSA's Press Release Justice NV Ramana spoke of the need to learn and embrace new ways for the betterment of the society during his address at the ceremony. .Speaking of the new innovations in justice delivery spurred by the onset of the pandemic, Justice Ramana emphasized on the challenges involved in utilising these innovations. .He added that a crucial challenge lay ahead in making technologies such as video conferencing available to those who live in the remotest corners of the country and who may not be able to use video conferencing.. Justice Ramana is further stated to have observed that the use of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) in the services of Adalats, would give a new momentum to Lok Adalats in India..The virtual lok adalat, conceptualised by Justice Ramana of NALSA was appreciated by the other dignitaries present, the Press Release recounts. .Others at the ceremony included DSLSA's Chief Patron Chief Justice DN Patel of the Delhi High Court, and Delhi High Court's Justice Hima Kohli, who also serves as the Executive Chairman of DSLSA..In his capacity as Executive Chairman of NALSA, Justice Ramana announced that legal services authorities across India had afforded legal aid, assistance and advice to persons at various stages of the justice system and to survivors of domestic violence between April and June..During this period, training and capacity-building programmes were also organised for lawyers empanelled with legal services authorities, he stated..Justice Hima Kohli informed the audience that all 11 districts of Delhi have participated in the Lok Adalat organised in conjunction with SAMA..DSLSA's online Adalat is not the first in the country. Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Chhatisgarh have successfully organised such adalats amid the pandemic. .The Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority has announced that it will be organising a virtual adalat on August 22, 2020..[COVID-19] Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority to hold virtual Lok Adalat on August 22, Chief Justice Gita Mittal to inaugurate.Read the NALSA Press Release here: