Justice Rabbani eulogizes ADR as inexpensive dispute resolution system

ISLAMABAD: Justice Ghulam Rabbani, judge of the Supreme Court, has said that the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a quicker, inexpensive and more effective system providing alternative to litigation.

He expressed these views at a certificate awarding ceremony which was held at the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA) on the conclusion of one-week training of trainers on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for Judiciary in collaboration with a famous Gender Justice through Musalihat Anjuman Project (GJTMAP) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Pakistan.

Regarding the origination of the ADR, he said that it was not a new concept in this country, as being generally understood, adding that it had been in place in one  mode or the other for the settlement of conflicts.

"In the villages wherein all disputes are brought before noblemen or 'elders of the villages,' whose decision was accepted by the parties, and no party could afford to disagree with the decision," he maintained.

"Dispute settlement through Arbitration/ADR is not only domestic but also increasingly growing international phenomena in the context of cross border transaction," he elaborated. Ms. Joanna Jacob, a representative of UNDP said that the mediation and arbitration could be an effective, respectful, and cost-effective way to move through family conflicts.

She stressed upon the judges to increase the use of ADR skills and techniques that the families in dispute could use.

Toshi Hero Tanaka, Country Director of the UNDP Pakistan, highlighted various initiatives taken so for and said the legal empowerment of the poor was not substitute for other development interventions.

"It can, however, be a necessary condition for creating an enabling environment for providing sustainable livelihoods and eradicating poverty," he maintained.

Aisha Khalida, a senior Civil Judge from Lahore, spoke on behalf of the course participants and thanked the Academy and the GJMATP for arranging such an informative and educative programme on the ADR. Director General FJA said that Academy was making all out efforts to enhance information and sharpen skills of the judicial officers in the new emerging trends in the judiciary such as the ADR.