Law Ministry concludes six-day training on civil/commercial mediation

ISLAMABAD, Oct 1, (SABAH): After the landmark success of initiatives on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system in Islamabad aimed at reducing the burden on courts, to promote and expand the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation throughout Pakistan, the Ministry of Law & Justice organized a six-day Accredited Civil/ Commercial Mediation training course from 23rd to 28th September 2023.

This initiative brought together a diverse group of participants, including judges from Islamabad and Balochistan, eminent lawyers of Supreme Court of Pakistan, professionals from PIMS, FBR, Law, and many others, highlighting that ADR is not confined solely to the legal sector.

The concluding session was graced by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Senior Puisne Judge, Islamabad High Court while opening sessions was chaired by Minister for Law & Justice Ahmed Irfan Aslam and the Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice Raja Naeem Akbar who expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in advancing mediation in Pakistan. They emphasized the importance of such training initiatives in furthering the cause of justice in Pakistan.

The training was conducted under the expert guidance of Rahim Shamji, chief executive of ADR-ODR International UK and Ms. Sarah Tarar Resident Representative of ADR ODR International who shared his invaluable insights and knowledge with the participants. This training program showcased the potential of Mediation as powerful tools for resolving disputes swiftly and efficiently. The ceremony was informed about the resounding success of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system in Islamabad. It was shared that the journey towards efficient and affordable justice took a significant stride in 2017 when the Alternate Dispute Resolution Act was enacted (ADR Act). The purpose of the Act was that the state is required to ensure inexpensive and expeditious justice and an alternative dispute resolution system can facilitate settlement of disputes expeditiously without resort to formal litigation. The traditional formal litigation processes often lead to delays and increased costs, thereby impeding access to justice. In response, the ADR Act paved the way for an alternative dispute resolution system designed to facilitate the expeditious settlement of disputes without resorting to formal litigation.

This landmark legislation set the stage for a transformative approach to dispute resolution in Pakistan. In a momentous development in 2023, under the supervision of the Islamabad High Court, the Ministry of Law & Justice enacted the ADR Mediation Accreditation (Eligibility) Rules, 2023, and the ADR (Accreditation) Rules, 2023. These rules have opened doors to a network of 69 accredited mediators and the establishment of three arbitration centers, each contributing to the continued success of ADR in Islamabad. The cases are successfully being referred and the results have been nothing short of remarkable, with a success rate exceeding 80%. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of ADR in providing swift and satisfactory resolutions for parties involved in disputes.

The Ministry of Law & Justice remains steadfast in its commitment to facilitating superior judiciary in speedy dispensation of justice and looks forward to continuing to promote ADR practices across the country.