KAMPALA – The Judiciary of Uganda has finalized the program of hosting the Chief Justice’s of Africa in a Summit on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) which will attract over 300 participants.
The Summit will be held at Mestil Hotel Kampala starting on 5th March to 6th March 2023 with participants being Chief Justices of Judiciaries of Africa , judges at various levels , Head of Adjudication tribunals , ADR Practitioners, Professional Associations as well as Government Ministries, departments and Agencies.
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In a joint press briefing held at Judiciary headquarters by National Organizing Committee noted that this summit which has been organized under a theme “Re engineering the Administration of Justice to African Continent” will provide an opportunity to Africa. Judiciaries to interrogate different Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms available and how they can be successfully implemented.
Hon. Nobert Mao, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (also a member of the organizing committee) on addressing the press, noted that this summit is timely because there is an urgency of ensuring that at least conflicts are resolved without goung to court as it was before colonialism.
“This concept is not new here because is provided for in the constitution of the Republic of Uganda and also in Uganda Human Rights Standards. In African society here we have clan heads (nuetral parties) who always invites us to resolve matters amicably. This process always promotes reconciliation , peace and unity among the parties.” remarked Mao
He also clarified that introducing ADR doesn’t mean that the usual Judicial system has been abolished or substituted ,but they will be working jointly. “As you can see , the judiciary has already concluded the construction of the two beautiful twin tower buildings.”
“This week I will be in Parliament to present a bill winding the body or center for Arbitration of disputes, this also bring that body into the armpits of the Ministry of justice. So through this office, the ministry will be in charge of accrediting ADR service providers and a curriculum which they will be taught at school.”
Justice Mike Chibita, Justice of Supreme Court of Uganda and Chairperson of Judiciary Training Institute (JTI) revealed that during this summit , the African ADR Institute will be launched with a view of serve as training center for , forum for African judiciaries to share best practices and promotion of ADR. Chief Justice Aliphonse Owiny Dollo has already accepted to house it here in Uganda.
Chibita also noted that during this summit several topics will be discussed and the press will have an opportunity to interact with Judicial officers from various countries once the host (Chief Justice ) grants them. The permission.
Once this method is fully operationalized in the country, it will assist the judiciary in reducing case backlog in the system.
Advantages of ADR compared to Judicial System ( Court)
ADR is cheap since it doesn’t involve lawyers as the formal justice system
ADR is flexible and can be handled in any place like a hotel room, home , Gardens which is not on the other one where it has to be held at only court premises.
In ADR , parties can choose an Arbitrator well as in the formal justice mechanism you have not right to do so.
ADR takes little time because once the parties agree on the outcomes, there is no appeal as it happens in the court process where a party can appeal up to supreme court.
