Many cases can be settled through mediation: CJI

Mediation Centres can play greater role in settlement of long-pending cases and the bar and the bench of High Courts should encourage the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system for early settlement of pending cases, chief justice of India justice Altamas Kabir said.

Speaking after inaugurating the Hyderabad Mediation Centre at Nyaya Seva Sadan in the City Civil Courts Complex here Saturday, justice Kabir said conciliation and mediation were recognised as two important and effective modes of the ADR system. There will be no appeals once a case is settled through ADR. Advocates in countries like USA, before filing suits in courts, would first counsel their clients to settle their dispute amicably, he pointed out.

The chief justice of India strongly felt that long-pending land dispute cases could be settled early if mediation centres were easily accessible and provided legal advice free of cost.

Justice SS Nijjar of the Supreme Court said the ADR system was very important for the country as strength of the judges in proportion to the population was less. About 15 crore cases were pending in various courts in the country, he said.

Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said the ADR system was ideal to settle various litigations. Referring to Indira Kranti Patham, he said women’s self-help groups were settling their disputes amicably outside the courts. Of 47,000 cases, about 37,000 have been settled amicably. About 120 permanent courts were sanctioned for the state and more courts would be set up in the coming years, Reddy said.

SC judge J Chalameswar, High Court chief justice PC Ghose and several judges were present. Justice Altamas Kabir then inaugurated the renovated central hall, reference library and gardens in the High Court.