Right of appeal: prescribed hierarchical appellate route exists with a strict time limit but discretionary condonation. An appeal lies both on facts and on law from a District Forum to the State Commission, from the State Commission to the National Commission, and from the National Commission to the Supreme Court; no appeal to any court is permitted except by this prescribed route. Appeals must be filed within a short statutory period, but the appellate authority may condone delay if satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not filing within the period.