Replacing litigation: ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution quicker and more effective’ (ISB city)

Justice Ghulam Rabbani sas ADR is a quicker, inexpensive and more effective system alternate to litigation.

ISLAMABAD: Justice Ghulam Rabbani said on Sunday that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a quicker, inexpensive and more effective system alternate to litigation (the legal proceeding in a court).

He expressed these views in a certificate awarding ceremony at the Federal Judicial Academy on the conclusion of a one-week training on ADR organised for members of the judiciary.

Contrary to common misconception, he said, ADR was not a new concept in Pakistan. “Dispute settlement through arbitration and [ADR] does not only happen domestically but is also an increasingly growing international phenomenon, in the context of cross border transaction,” he elaborated.

He said Pakistani judicial system was tedious and complicated and made it difficult for a person to get speedy and inexpensive justice in the prevalent circumstances. He added ADR was the best solution. Twenty-four participants were given certificates at the end. These people will be able to use what they learn to encourage settlement of disputes and thus cut the workload of courts.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2011.