Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 18: Under the guidance and patronage of Chief Justice (Chief Patron) and Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir, Judge Incharge, State Judicial Academy, one day refresher course for Sub-Judges and Munsiffs of District Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Reasi and Udhampur was organized by the Judicial Academy here today.
In his introductory remarks, Director, State Judicial Academy Abdul Wahid said, “sensitizing Judicial Officers about their role in referring the cases to mediation centres is a critical component in the process of mediation. Judges in the civil courts are in a very pivotal position as the process of mediation start at their end by reference to mediation centres and ends with acceptance of mediation reports from the mediators”.
“The role of referral Judges is of paramount importance so far implementation of mechanism of mediation is concerned”, he said.
Bansi Lal Bhat, Special Judge (Anti-corruption) for CBI cases, Jammu, who acted as resource person, exhaustively explained the concept of mediation as one of modes of alternative dispute resolution, which has assumed greater acceptance throughout the world and got statutory recognition by incorporating of Section 89 CPC.
“Judicial Officer is required to record the nature of dispute briefly and seek the option of the parties for reference to various modes of alternate dispute resolution including mediation”, he said, adding “object of alternative dispute resolution is to bring peace and harmony in the society and to create a win-win position for both the parties”.
He emphasized that the Judicial Officers have to be sensitive towards the mediation mechanism and encourage the resolution of disputes through mechanism of mediation by spreading awareness among lawyers and litigants. He asked them to refer suitable cases for mediation and have a regular interaction with mediators for better output of mediation qualitatively and quantitatively.
Participants raised some questions during interaction about the effective implementation of mediation by suggesting the setting up of mediation centres at sub-divisional and mufassil levels as it was pointed out that given the topography of the State parties find it difficult to traverse long distance from their areas towards District Mediation Centres.
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