Alternative dispute resolution a global necessity: Judge
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The need to strengthen alternative dispute resolution (ADR) considering the several advantages in it was stressed by P.Sathasivam, Judge, Madras High Court, on Thursday. Delivering the K.N.Shanmugasundaram Memorial Endowment Lecture under the auspices of The South Indian National Association and Ranade Library, he said ADR was necessary because in civil cases, courts took a longer time to dispose them. Considering the staggering pendency of cases in courts and tribunals, an appropriate strategy for administration of justice such as mediation, conciliation, arbitration and Lok Adalats was evolved. Tamil Nadu was a pioneer in mediation. He said at the mediation centre, which was started in Coimbatore a few days ago, 31 labour matters were settled on a single day. Similarly, the first Lok Adalat was held in Chennai in 1986. Lok Adalats were very effective in settling money claims. He said 69 cases were settled through the Lok Adalat in Coimbatore recently. He pointed out that ADR had become a global necessity now and it was an integral segment of practice. As part of the efforts to reduce pendency, the Chief Justice had directed the High Court registry to post civil suits pending since 1997 before Judges who would hear them after the regular court hours. If both the parties agreed, the matter would be referred for mediation. Otherwise, they would be decided in courts. R.Krishnamoorthy, former Advocate-General, who presided, said some of the civil cases could be resolved if there was a will to get them resolved through ADR. Source : hindu.com |