With reference to Lok Adalats, consider the following statements: 1. An award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a degree of a civil court and no appeal lies against thereto before any court. 2. Matrimonial/Family disputes are not covered under Lok Adalat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Statement 1 is correct. Section 21 of the Legal Services Authorities Act and authoritative texts state that every award of a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding; no appeal lies against such an award before any court [1]. Statement 2 is incorrect. Matrimonial and family disputes are routinely settled in Lok Adalats; specialised schemes like Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalat exist to resolve marriage and family affairs by conciliation and settlement, and multiple practitioner sources list matrimonial/family matters as within the scope of Lok Adalats [2]. Therefore only statement 1 is correct.

Sources

1. [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 38: Lok Adalats and Other Courts > 376 f1' Indion Poli!)' > p. 376
2. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 59: National Commission for Women > PARIVARIK MAHILA LOK ADALAT'" > p. 483