ICSE Class 10 · Chapter 7

Subordinate Courts ICSE Class 10: District Courts and Lok Adalats

Updated 14 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Subordinate courts are the courts below the High Court in each district. ICSE Class 10 tests two things: the distinction between the Court of the District Judge, the highest civil court in a district, and the Sessions Court, the highest criminal court, and the meaning and advantages of Lok Adalats, people's courts that settle disputes by compromise.

What Subordinate Courts is about

Most people who go to court in India never reach a High Court. Their cases start and end in the subordinate courts of the district. These courts work under the supervision of the High Court of the state.

The syllabus is narrow but precise. First, you must distinguish between the Court of the District Judge, which deals with civil cases, and the Sessions Court, which deals with criminal cases. The same judge often presides over both and is called the District and Sessions Judge, which is why students mix them up. Second, you must know what Lok Adalats are and their advantages.

In the board paper this chapter has appeared as an analogy MCQ (civil cases : District Judge :: criminal cases : Sessions Court), a picture-based MCQ on the advantages of Lok Adalats, and a Part II question asking for two advantages of Lok Adalats and one difference between the two district courts. CISCE examiners noted that some candidates wrote about village panchayats instead of Lok Adalats and could not explain the difference between the two courts.

Weightage: CISCE publishes no chapter weightage. Civics is tested in Part I (compulsory 1- and 2-mark items) and in Part II Section A, where you answer two of three 10-mark Civics questions, each split 3 + 3 + 4.Source: CISCE ICSE 2027 Specimen Question Paper 501, History & Civics (H.C.G. Paper 1)

Key concepts

Structure of subordinate courts

Below each High Court is a hierarchy of courts in every district:

Civil side: the Court of the District Judge at the top, and below it courts of Civil Judges (Senior Division and Junior Division, called sub-judges or munsiffs in some states).
Criminal side: the Sessions Court at the top, and below it courts of Chief Judicial Magistrates and Judicial Magistrates.
Revenue side: revenue courts dealing with land revenue and land records, headed by the Board of Revenue in many states.

District Judges are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the High Court. The High Court supervises all subordinate courts, hears appeals from them, and controls postings and promotions of their judges.

Worked example

(2 marks) Name the highest civil court and the highest criminal court in a district.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Highest civil court: the Court of the District Judge - 1 mark.
Highest criminal court: the Sessions Court - 1 mark.

Answer: The Court of the District Judge is the highest civil court, and the Sessions Court is the highest criminal court in a district.

Court of the District Judge

The Court of the District Judge is the principal civil court of the district.

Original jurisdiction: it hears civil cases of higher value and important civil matters such as disputes over property, contracts, inheritance, marriage and divorce, and guardianship.
Appellate jurisdiction: it hears appeals against decisions of the lower civil courts (Civil Judges) in the district.
Supervisory role: it supervises the working of the subordinate civil courts in the district.

Appeals against its decisions go to the High Court.

Worked example

(2 marks) State two functions of the Court of the District Judge.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

It hears important civil cases in its original jurisdiction, such as property and inheritance disputes - 1 mark.
It hears appeals against decisions of the lower civil courts of the district and supervises them - 1 mark.

Answer: The District Judge's court decides important civil cases such as property and inheritance disputes, and hears appeals from the lower civil courts while supervising them.

Sessions Court

The Sessions Court is the highest criminal court of the district.

It tries serious criminal offences such as murder, robbery, dacoity, kidnapping and rape, which are sent (committed) to it by magistrates.
It can pass any sentence authorised by law, including life imprisonment and death. A death sentence must be confirmed by the High Court before it is carried out.
It hears appeals against the judgments of the Judicial Magistrates in the district.

Appeals against its decisions go to the High Court.

Worked example

(2 marks) What kind of cases does a Sessions Court try? What limit applies to a death sentence it passes?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

It tries serious criminal cases such as murder, dacoity and kidnapping - 1 mark.
A death sentence passed by it must be confirmed by the High Court before execution - 1 mark.

Answer: A Sessions Court tries serious criminal cases such as murder and dacoity. It may award a death sentence, but the sentence must be confirmed by the High Court before it can be carried out.

Distinction between the Court of the District Judge and the Sessions Court

1. Nature of cases: the District Judge's court deals with civil cases (rights, property, money, family matters); the Sessions Court deals with criminal cases (offences against the law).
2. Purpose: a civil case seeks to settle a dispute or enforce a right, usually through compensation or an order; a criminal case seeks punishment of an offender.
3. Decisions: the District Judge's court passes decrees (for example, ordering possession of property or payment); the Sessions Court passes sentences (fines, imprisonment, death).
4. Lower courts: appeals come to the District Judge from Civil Judges, and to the Sessions Judge from Judicial Magistrates.

In most districts the same person presides over both. When hearing civil cases he is the District Judge; when hearing criminal cases he is the Sessions Judge. That is why he is called the District and Sessions Judge.

Worked example

(2 marks) Mention one difference between the Sessions Court and the Court of the District Judge, and explain why they are often confused.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The District Judge's court hears civil cases, while the Sessions Court hears criminal cases - 1 mark.
They are confused because the same judge usually presides over both and is called the District and Sessions Judge - 1 mark.

Answer: The Court of the District Judge deals with civil cases and the Sessions Court with criminal cases. They are often confused because the same judge presides over both: he is the District Judge for civil cases and the Sessions Judge for criminal cases.

Lok Adalats: meaning

Lok Adalat means 'people's court'. It is a forum where disputes, either pending in a court or not yet filed (pre-litigation), are settled amicably by compromise and conciliation between the parties. Lok Adalats were given statutory status by the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

A Lok Adalat is usually presided over by a serving or retired judicial officer, with members such as a lawyer and a social worker. It deals with cases such as motor accident claims, family and matrimonial disputes, bank loan recovery, electricity and water bills, labour disputes, and minor (compoundable) criminal cases. It cannot decide a case unless both parties agree to a settlement.

Its award is treated as a decree of a civil court. It is final and binding on the parties, and no appeal lies against it.

Worked example

(2 marks) What is a Lok Adalat?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A Lok Adalat is a 'people's court' where disputes pending in courts or at the pre-litigation stage are settled by compromise between the parties - 1 mark.
It has statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and its award is final and binding like a civil court decree - 1 mark.

Answer: A Lok Adalat is a people's court that settles disputes, pending or not yet filed, through compromise between the parties. It has legal status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and its award is binding like a civil court's decree.

Advantages of Lok Adalats

1. Inexpensive: no court fee is charged, and if a pending case is settled the court fee already paid is refunded.
2. Speedy: cases are decided quickly, often on the same day.
3. Informal procedure: strict rules of procedure and evidence do not apply; parties can talk directly to the presiding members, with or without lawyers.
4. Compromise and goodwill: disputes are settled by mutual agreement, so relationships between the parties are preserved and there is no winner or loser.
5. Final award: the award is binding and no appeal lies, so the dispute ends.
6. Reduces the burden on regular courts by clearing a large number of cases.
7. Brings justice to the poor and people in remote areas, as Lok Adalats are held in different places.

Worked example

(2 marks) Mention any two advantages of Lok Adalats.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

They are inexpensive: no court fee is charged, and fees paid in a pending case are refunded on settlement - 1 mark.
They give quick justice, settling cases by compromise, which also reduces the burden on regular courts - 1 mark.

Answer: Lok Adalats are inexpensive, charging no court fee and refunding fees already paid, and they settle cases quickly by compromise, which also reduces the load on the regular courts.

Subordinate Courts in real life

Each concept, met in an everyday situation. Read the situation, answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Lok Adalat

Suppose a scooter rider is injured in an accident with a bus of a state transport company. His claim for compensation has been pending in court for four years, and both sides are tired of the delay.

How can a Lok Adalat help, and what will be the status of the settlement?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Motor accident claims are among the cases Lok Adalats handle.
If both sides agree, the case is referred to a Lok Adalat, where it is settled by compromise.
The award is final and binding, with no appeal, and the court fee he paid is refunded.

Answer: The case can be referred to a Lok Adalat, where the rider and the transport company agree on compensation through conciliation. The award is binding like a civil court decree, no appeal lies, and the court fee he paid is refunded.

Memory hook: Lok Adalat: agree today, close the file today.

Civil versus criminal

Imagine Rohan's neighbour builds a wall on part of Rohan's land. When Rohan objects, the neighbour attacks and injures him.

Which court in the district will hear each part of this dispute at the higher level?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The land dispute is a civil matter about a right to property.
Civil matters go to the civil courts, with the Court of the District Judge at the top in the district.
The assault is a criminal offence; a serious offence goes to the Sessions Court, lesser ones to a magistrate.

Answer: The land dispute is a civil case for the civil courts (District Judge's court at the district level). The assault is a criminal case; if serious, it is tried by the Sessions Court, otherwise by a Judicial Magistrate.

Memory hook: Rights go to the District Judge; crimes go to Sessions.

Final award

Suppose two brothers settle a family property dispute at a Lok Adalat. A month later, one brother regrets the deal and wants to appeal to the High Court.

Can he appeal? Explain.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A Lok Adalat award is based on the agreement of both parties.
It is deemed a decree of a civil court and is final and binding.
No appeal lies against a Lok Adalat award.

Answer: No. A Lok Adalat award is final and binding on both parties and no appeal lies against it, because it is based on their own agreement.

Memory hook: You signed it, you're bound by it.

Topics in this chapter

District Judge's Court, Sessions Court and Lok Adalats

Subordinate Courts: key facts

Highest civil court in a district: Court of the District Judge; Appeals go to the High Court.
Highest criminal court in a district: Sessions Court; Death sentences need High Court confirmation.
Lok Adalat law: Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987; Gives statutory status.
Lok Adalat award: Deemed civil court decree; final; no appeal; Court fee refunded on settlement of a pending case.
Appointment: District Judges appointed by the Governor in consultation with the High Court

How the board asks Subordinate Courts

The question patterns to expect, and the method that works for each.

Question type	How it is asked	Method
Analogy MCQ (Part I)	'Civil cases : Court of District Judge :: Criminal cases : ___.'	Criminal at district level = Sessions Court. Ignore revenue and family courts in the options.
Picture-based MCQ (Part I)	A cartoon of two parties shaking hands before a Lok Adalat bench; choose which advantage it shows.	Match the picture's action: handshake = compromise; empty fee counter = inexpensive; crowd leaving court = reduces burden.
Short answer (2 to 3 marks)	Two advantages of Lok Adalats and one difference between the District Judge's court and the Sessions Court.	Use 'Lok Adalat' throughout, not 'panchayat'. For the difference, contrast civil with criminal in one sentence.

Tricks to remember Subordinate Courts

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

D for Disputes, S for Sentences
District Judge settles civil Disputes; Sessions Judge passes Sentences.
Use it when: Distinguishing the two courts.
FAST-C
Lok Adalat advantages: Free (no fee), Agreement (compromise), Speedy, Terminal (no appeal), Clears backlog.
Use it when: Listing advantages.

Subordinate Courts: board-level solved questions

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Cover the solution, write your own, then compare step by step.

Example 1: Analogy · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Civil cases : Court of the District Judge :: Criminal cases : ________
(a) Revenue Court
(b) Family Court
(c) Sessions Court
(d) Commissioner's Court

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The District Judge's court is the highest civil court in the district.
The highest criminal court in the district is the Sessions Court.

Answer: (c) Sessions Court.

Example 2: Picture-based Lok Adalat · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

A picture shows two farmers shaking hands across a table while a retired judge and a social worker smile. Which advantage of a Lok Adalat does it best show?
(a) It is inexpensive
(b) It is held in different parts of the country
(c) It works in a spirit of compromise
(d) It reduces the burden on higher courts

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The handshake shows the parties reaching an agreement.
Settlement by agreement is the spirit of compromise.

Answer: (c) It works in a spirit of compromise.

Example 3: Assertion and reason: no appeal · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): No appeal lies against the award of a Lok Adalat.
Reason (R): The award of a Lok Adalat is based on the consent of both parties.
(a) Both A and R are true and R explains A
(b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The award is final and no appeal lies: A is true.
It is based on a compromise agreed by both parties: R is true and is the reason an appeal makes no sense.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.

Example 4: Two advantages and one difference · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Mention any two advantages of the Lok Adalat. Mention any one difference between the Sessions Court and the Court of the District Judge.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Advantage 1: no court fee; fees already paid are refunded on settlement.
Advantage 2: quick settlement by compromise, with a final award and no appeal.
Difference: the District Judge's court deals with civil cases; the Sessions Court deals with criminal cases.

Answer: Lok Adalats (1) charge no court fee and refund fees already paid, and (2) settle cases quickly by compromise, with an award that is final. The Court of the District Judge hears civil cases, while the Sessions Court hears criminal cases.

Example 5: Sessions Court powers · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Explain the jurisdiction of the Sessions Court.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Original: tries serious criminal offences such as murder, dacoity and kidnapping, committed to it by magistrates.
Sentencing: can pass any sentence authorised by law, but a death sentence needs High Court confirmation.
Appellate: hears appeals against judgments of the Judicial Magistrates of the district.

Answer: The Sessions Court tries serious criminal cases committed to it by magistrates, can award any lawful sentence (a death sentence needs High Court confirmation), and hears appeals from the Judicial Magistrates in the district.

Example 6: Why Lok Adalats matter · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

'Lok Adalats make justice accessible to ordinary people.' Justify with four points.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Cost: no court fee and refund of fees paid, so the poor can use them.
Speed: disputes end quickly, unlike long court cases.
Informality: no strict procedure; parties speak directly, with or without lawyers.
Reach and outcome: held in different places, including rural areas, and settlements preserve relationships while reducing the backlog in regular courts.

Answer: (1) They cost nothing, and fees already paid are refunded. (2) They settle disputes quickly. (3) Their procedure is informal, so people can speak for themselves without expensive lawyers. (4) They are held in many places, including villages, and settle disputes by compromise, preserving goodwill while easing the load on regular courts.

Example 7: Lok Adalat and panchayat · 2 marks · Very short answerHOTS / competency

A student writes that a Lok Adalat is 'the court of the village panchayat'. Correct the student in two points.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

A Lok Adalat is set up under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, by legal services authorities, not by the panchayat.
It is presided over by a judicial officer with members such as a lawyer and a social worker, and its award has the force of a civil court decree.

Answer: A Lok Adalat is not a panchayat body. It is organised under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, is presided over by a serving or retired judicial officer with a lawyer and a social worker, and its award is binding like a civil court decree.

Case-study practice (Section B style)

Read the situation, then answer every part. In the board paper this is a 10-mark question split into 3 + 3 + 4 marks.

A day in the district courts

Read the report and answer the questions.

'At the district court complex, Judge Rao heard an inheritance dispute between three sisters in the morning. After lunch, in another courtroom, the same judge heard the trial of two men accused of dacoity. On the lawns outside, a Lok Adalat settled over 200 cases of unpaid electricity bills and motor accident claims in a single day.'

(i) · 3 marks
In which capacity did Judge Rao hear each case? Why is he called the District and Sessions Judge?
Answer
Answer: The inheritance dispute is civil, so he heard it as the District Judge; the dacoity trial is criminal, so he heard it as the Sessions Judge. He is called the District and Sessions Judge because the same judge presides over both the highest civil and the highest criminal court in the district.
1 mark each for the two capacities; 1 for the reason.
(ii) · 3 marks
If Judge Rao sentences the accused to death, what must happen before the sentence is carried out? Where can the sisters appeal if unhappy?
Answer
Answer: The death sentence must be confirmed by the High Court. The sisters can appeal against the District Judge's decision to the High Court.
2 marks for confirmation; 1 for appeal.
(iii) · 4 marks
State four advantages that allowed the Lok Adalat to settle so many cases in one day.
Answer
Answer: (1) Informal procedure without strict rules of evidence. (2) Settlement by compromise, so no long arguments. (3) No court fee. (4) Award final, with no appeal, so cases are closed at once (also reduces the burden on regular courts).
1 mark per advantage.

Where the marks are

How a typical answer is split into step marks. Show every step: a right final answer alone rarely earns full marks.

Mention any two advantages of Lok Adalats. (2 marks) (2 marks)

Step	Marks
First advantage with a reason (e.g. no court fee).	1
Second advantage (e.g. quick, by compromise).	1

Two advantages of Lok Adalats and one difference between the two district courts. (3 marks) (3 marks)

Step	Marks
Advantage 1.	1
Advantage 2.	1
Civil (District Judge) versus criminal (Sessions).	1

Justify that Lok Adalats make justice accessible (four points). (4 marks) (4 marks)

Step	Marks
Cost.	1
Speed.	1
Informal procedure.	1
Reach / compromise / reduced backlog.	1

Where students lose marks in Subordinate Courts

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Writing about village panchayats instead of Lok Adalats
CISCE examiners' comments, 2025: some candidates wrote about village panchayats instead of Lok Adalats.
Wrong working
Lok Adalats are run by the sarpanch and village elders.
Right working
Lok Adalats are organised under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, presided over by a judicial officer.
Do this: Link Lok Adalat to the legal services system, not local self-government.
Usually costs: Up to 2 marks.
Mistake: Not knowing the difference between the Sessions Court and the District Judge's court
CISCE examiners' comments, 2025: candidates did not understand the difference between the Sessions Court and the District Judge's court.
Wrong working
The Sessions Court is bigger than the District Judge's court.
Right working
The District Judge's court is the highest civil court; the Sessions Court is the highest criminal court of the district.
Do this: Civil versus criminal is the core difference.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Choosing a revenue or commissioner's court in an analogy
CISCE examiners' comments, 2024: candidates confused the Revenue Court with the Commissioner's Court.
Do this: Revenue courts deal with land revenue; criminal cases at the district level go to the Sessions Court.
Usually costs: The full mark.
Mistake: Saying Lok Adalat awards can be appealed
Students assume every decision can be appealed.
Do this: Write 'final and binding, no appeal lies'.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Practice questions on Subordinate Courts

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Lok Adalats were given statutory status by the:
(a) Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act
(b) Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
(c) Consumer Protection Act, 1986
(d) Code of Civil Procedure
Hint
Legal services.
Answer
(b) Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Q2 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Which of these cases would go to a Sessions Court?
(a) A dispute over a will
(b) A murder case
(c) A divorce petition
(d) Non-payment of rent
Hint
Serious crime.
Answer
(b) A murder case.
Q3 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
Who presides over a Lok Adalat?
Hint
A judicial officer and members.
Answer
A serving or retired judicial officer presides, usually with members such as a lawyer and a social worker.
Q4 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
State any two types of cases settled in Lok Adalats.
Hint
Everyday disputes.
Answer
Motor accident compensation claims and family or matrimonial disputes (others: bank loan recovery, electricity and water bills, labour disputes, compoundable criminal cases).
Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Explain the jurisdiction of the Court of the District Judge.
Hint
Original, appellate, supervisory.
Answer
Original: it decides important civil cases of higher value, such as property, contract, inheritance and family matters. Appellate: it hears appeals against decisions of lower civil courts (Civil Judges). Supervisory: it oversees the working of subordinate civil courts in the district.
Q6 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
Distinguish between a civil case and a criminal case with an example of each.
Hint
Right versus offence.
Answer
A civil case concerns a dispute over rights, such as a property or money dispute, and ends in a decree; it goes to civil courts headed by the District Judge. A criminal case concerns an offence, such as theft or murder, and ends in punishment; it goes to criminal courts headed by the Sessions Court.
Q7 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
'Lok Adalats reduce the burden on courts but cannot replace them.' Give two arguments for each part.
Hint
Consent is needed.
Answer
Reduce burden: (1) they settle large numbers of pending and pre-litigation cases quickly; (2) settled cases do not return on appeal. Cannot replace: (1) they work only when both parties agree, so contested cases still need regular courts; (2) serious (non-compoundable) criminal cases and complex questions of law must be decided by regular courts.
Q8 · 2 marks · Very short answerHOTS / competency
Why does a Lok Adalat refund court fees? What does this show about its aim?
Hint
Encouragement to settle.
Answer
When a pending case is settled, the court fee is refunded to encourage parties to settle by compromise. It shows that the aim is cheap and amicable justice, especially for poorer people.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.What is the highest criminal court in a district?Show answer
The Sessions Court.
2.What is the highest civil court in a district?Show answer
The Court of the District Judge.
3.What does 'Lok Adalat' mean?Show answer
People's court.
4.Can one appeal against a Lok Adalat award?Show answer
No; it is final and binding.
5.Who appoints District Judges?Show answer
The Governor, in consultation with the High Court.

Best order to study it

Learn the hierarchy of courts in a district.
Learn the District Judge's court and the Sessions Court and compare them.
Learn the meaning, composition and cases of Lok Adalats.
Learn at least five advantages of Lok Adalats.
Practise picture and analogy MCQs.

Quick revision checklist

The night before the exam: can you do each of these without looking?

District Judge: highest civil court; original + appellate + supervisory.
Sessions Court: highest criminal court; serious offences; death sentence needs HC confirmation.
Same judge often = District and Sessions Judge.
Lok Adalat: people's court; Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Presided by a judicial officer with a lawyer and a social worker.
Advantages: no fee, speedy, informal, compromise, final, reduces backlog.

Subordinate Courts: frequently asked questions

Is the District Judge the same person as the Sessions Judge?

Usually yes. The same judge hears civil cases as District Judge and criminal cases as Sessions Judge, hence the title District and Sessions Judge.

What happens if parties do not agree in a Lok Adalat?

No award is made. The case goes back to the regular court (or the parties can file a case), because a Lok Adalat can act only on agreement.

Do I need a lawyer in a Lok Adalat?

No. The procedure is informal, and parties can speak for themselves, though they may bring a lawyer.

Based on: CISCE ICSE 2027 History & Civics syllabus (H.C.G. Paper 1); CISCE ICSE 2027 Specimen Question Paper and Marking Scheme, History & Civics (501)