#client consent

The Karnataka High Court has ruled that a Lok Adalat award is void without the voluntary, signed consent of the parties themselves - not just their lawyers. This clarifies that under the Legal Services Authorities Act, settlement bindingness hinges on direct party participation, not representative agreement, affecting all claimants in motor accident and civil disputes resolved through Lok Adalats.

MP High Court rules that a counsel's acceptance of a settlement proposal without explicit client instructions is void, restoring the writ petition for merits hearing. The ruling reinforces client autonomy in legal proceedings, ensuring no disposal of cases without express authorization.