‘Mediators should play role for reducing case backlog’

Staff Reporter :
Justice Md Abu Zafor Siddique, a judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, has said that mediators have to play a vital role in reducing case backlog from the judicial system of the country by receiving proper training on mediation.

Justice Siddique said this in the inauguration ceremony of a 40-hour mediation training workshop held on Thursday at the Supreme Court Mediation Centre. He attended as the chief guest at the program organised by Bangladesh International Mediation Society (BIMS).

The justice said, “No matter how many judges are appointed, the case backlog will not be reduced easily. Therefore, mediation can play an important role in resolving case backlog in the courts. Young lawyers should become good mediators through training on mediation.

Justice is a corelative matter, he said, commenting that it is very difficult to establish justice through a long judicial process. We judge according to the customary laws. I don’t know if it is justice or not.

Noting that litigation does not establish peace in the society, rather it increases anger, he said, settling disputes through mediation creates good relations between both parties. Therefore, emphasis should be placed on the application of mediation.”

Justice Md Ashraful Kamal who attended the program as an special guest said that it is not possible to resolve the case backlog within the existing legal framework.

Therefore, mediation should be used as an alternative mechanism.

The mountain of litigations should be reduced through mediation.

Senior Advocate Samarendra Nath Goswami, Chairman of the BIMS, gave welcome speech at the program, while Advocate Adun Nur Dulal, Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), presided ovrr the program.

Yousra Hasona, BIMS Regional Director (Middle East), conducted the program. A total of 65 delegates participated the program.