Section 20(1) in The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
(1)Where in any case referred to in clause (i) of sub-section (5) of section 19—(i)(a)the parties thereof agree; or(b)one of the parties thereof makes an application to the court,for referring the case to the Lok Adalat for settlement and if such court is prima facie satisfied that there are chances of such settlement; or(ii)the court is satisfied that the matter is an appropriate one to be taken cognizance of by the Lok Adalat,the court shall refer the case to the Lok Adalat:Provided that no case shall be referred to the Lok Adalat under sub-clause (b) of clause (i) or clause (ii) by such court except after giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the parties.
