Panaji, Oct 21 (TOI): If long-pending cases in courts and pre-litigation matters are settled at Lok Adalats, then people’s anxiety and suffering, and the pendency of cases in courts can be greatly reduced, said Shabnam Shaikh, secretary, district legal services authority (DLSA), North Goa.

Shaikh was speaking at a legal literacy camp and clinic at Neura on Sunday. The camp organized by DLSA, North Goa, provided guidance to Neura and nearby villagers on topics such as succession law in Goa, the Consumer Protection Act, and laws relating to tenancy and mundkar.

Shaikh explained the concept of Lok Adalat and explained that even disputes which have not reached the court can be decided before it. Under Section 12 of Legal Services Authority Act, poor people, women and children, SC and ST members are entitled for free legal aid, he said.

Principal district and sessions judge and chairman of DLSA, North Goa, B P Deshpande, inaugurated the camp and clinic. Advocate Sudin Usgaonkar spoke on succession law and explained how the estates are distributed in case of death of one of the spouses. Professor Nagesh Kolvalkar spoke on mundkar and tenancy law, while advocate Harsha Naik explained various aspects of the Consumer Protection Act.

Neura parish priest Fr Mousinho Athaide said that the profusion of laws confuses the common man while delay in disposing off court cases is unfair to them. Also present was deputy sarpanch Sumita Naik.