CJP roots for alternative dispute resolution

Says model courts, if they do not delay ordinary litigation, should be embraced as need of the day

LAHORE: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Sunday said the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) seemed to be the only solution to the backlog of cases in the country.

"Model courts, if they are not at the cost of delaying ordinary litigation and providing privilege to those who need it and not those who don't, should be embraced as need of the day," said the chief justice while speaking at the concluding session of the 2nd three-day Punjab Women Judges Conference, organised by the Punjab Judicial Academy.

Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and APPother judges, Registrar Syed Khurshid Anwar Rizvi, Director General District Judiciary Muhammad Akmal Khan, Director General Punjab Judicial Academy Mah Rukh Aziz and other judicial officers were also present.

Chief Justice Saqib Nisar said: "We're lucky that we are governed by a written Constitution. This written Constitution enshrines fundamental rights and if we go through the relevant chapter, those fundamental rights make no discrimination between male and female."

He said unfortunately in rustic societies, there might be situations where women were not treated well. "But in cities, I feel that women are in quite a better condition."

He said there was no difference between a first class civil judge and a Supreme Court judge. Both are meant to dispense justice according to the law and no one can do it according to his own will.

The CJ said being the father of the institution, he would advise every judge to know the law and apply it in letter and spirit.

He congratulated the Lahore High Court chief justice for highlighting the issues related to gender-based violence cases and gender sensitivity. He appreciated the efforts made in conducting courses and trainings.

Addressing the audience, Justice Shah said that violence faced by women took physical, verbal, psychological and economic forms. He encouraged women judges to fight against elements which perpetuated violence against women.

He acknowledged the need for better access to justice for women through impartiality in adjudication, and reaffirmed his commitment to equality and non-discrimination for all judges, irrespective of gender.

Justice Shah shared with the participants the figures of the cases decided by the ADR centres and model courts.

Justice Ayesha A Malik of the LHC discussed recommendations, put forward by speakers, and inspired women judges to encourage a women-friendly non-discriminatory environment within their courtrooms.