Permanent Lok Adalat

Notwithstanding anything contained in section 19, the Central Authority or, as the case may be, every State Authority shall, by notification, establish Permanent Lok Adalats at such places and for exercising such jurisdiction in respect of one or more public utility services and for such areas as may be specified in the notification.
Every Permanent Lok Adalat established for an area notified under sub-section (1) shall consist of—
- A person who is, or has been, a district judge or additional district judge or has held judicial office higher in rank than that of a district judge, shall be the Chairman of the Permanent Lok Adalat.
- Two other persons having adequate experience in public utility service to be nominated by the Central Government or, as the case may be, the state Government on the recommendation of the Central Authority.

Any party to a dispute may, before the dispute is brought before any court, make an application to the Permanent Lok Adalat for the settlement of dispute.
After an application is made under sub-section (1) to the Permanent Lok Adalat, no party to that application shall invoke jurisdiction of any court in the same dispute.
Where an application is made to Permanent Lok Adalat under sub-section (1), it—
- Shall direct each party to the application to file before it a written statement.
- May require any party to the application to file additional statement before it.
- Shall communicate any document or statement received by it from any party.

Every award of the Permanent Lok Adalat under this Act made either on merit or in terms of a settlement agreement shall be final and binding.
Every award shall be deemed to be a decree of a civil court.
The award shall be by a majority of the persons constituting the Permanent Lok Adalat.

Transport service for the carriage of passengers or goods by Air, Road or Water.
Postal, Telegraph or Telephone services.
Supply of power, light or water to the public by any establishment.
System of public conservancy or sanitation.
Service in Hospital or dispensary.
Insurance service.
Education or Educational Institutions services.
Housing and Real Estate services.
Banking and financial services (included by the State Government).