Is It Actually Binding? Enforceability Questions Answered

A Lok Adalat award is deemed a decree of a civil court and is final and binding — and unusually, it cannot be appealed in any court. Once both sides agree and the award is passed, the matter is closed.

Source: Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, Section 21

Section 34 permits challenge only on specified statutory grounds. For certain domestic awards, Section 34(2A) also permits challenge for patent illegality appearing on the face of the award; the proceeding is not a general appeal on the merits.

Source: Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, Section 34

Not automatically. Since the 2015 amendment, merely filing a Section 34 challenge does not stay enforcement. The challenging party must apply separately for a stay, and the court may impose conditions such as furnishing security.

Source: Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, Section 36

A New York Convention award may be enforceable under Part II where the statutory requirements are satisfied, including the notified-territory requirement, subject to the limited refusal grounds in the Act.

Source: Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, Sections 44-52