On 13th September 2025, the students of the Legal Aid Clinic, Bharath Institute of Law, under the supervision of Faculty Coordinators Asst. Prof. Mr. R. Yuvan Shankar and Asst. Prof. Ms. Sophia Stella Sargunam, participated in an academic visit to observe the proceedings of the National Lok Adalat at the Tambaram Combined Court and the Judicial Magistrate Courts I & II. The initiative aimed to provide students with practical exposure to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in India.
During the observation, students witnessed proceedings presided over by judicial officers including Sub Judge Mr. Velraj, District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Mrs. Ancy, and Judicial Magistrate I Mr. Sentamil Selvan. The sessions covered a wide range of disputes property and family-related matters, as well as criminal cases all resolved through amicable settlement. The judges emphasized the significance of Lok Adalats in ensuring speedy, cost-effective, and accessible justice, while also reducing the burden on regular courts.
The students actively engaged in interactive discussions where judges explained practical aspects of law, such as the NDPS Act, probation as a rehabilitative tool, and public nuisance offences, thereby connecting theoretical learning with live judicial practice.
The visit was highly beneficial for the students as they learned how Lok Adalats encourage compromise and mutual settlement, thereby helping parties avoid prolonged litigation. They gained a clear understanding of how alternative dispute resolution mechanisms provide speedy and affordable justice to common people, while simultaneously observing the practical handling of property, family, and criminal disputes.
Through interactive discussions with the judges, the students also deepened their knowledge of specific legal provisions, such as the NDPS Act, probation as a reformative alternative to imprisonment, and offences relating to public nuisance. This experience not only enhanced their legal acumen but also bridged the gap between theoretical learning and real-world judicial practice, strengthening their appreciation of the role of Lok Adalats in promoting access to justice.