Family cases: Judges asked to act as arbitrators, reformers

17 female judges imparted training on management of family cases.

The family court judges on Friday were asked to make all efforts to dispose of cases related to family disputes expeditiously, said a press release issued by Federal Judicial Academy (FJA).

While speaking at a training course on management of family cases, Supreme Court Judge Tariq Parvez urged the participants to bring about parties to compromise or reconciliation so as to save the institution of family.

Apart from the two-day workshop, the academy is holding a week-long training course on the challenges being faced by the female judges.

Around 17 female judges of the family courts hailing from all over the country including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are taking part in the training.

“To my mind the role of a family judge is of an arbitrator and reformer,” Justice Parvez said, adding that law has empowered them (judges) to bring about a compromise or reconciliation between the parties.

“No other judge has been given this much power for arbitration between the parties as the family court judges, hence, exercise these  powers so as to save families from break-up. Children of broken families suffer the most in such situations,” the judge said.

Citing the increasing number of divorces in society, the judge said, “Since we live in a society where the ratio of illiteracy is high and divorces are more among the uneducated families as compared to educated ones, hence, apply all indigenous skills, modes and traditions, instead of modern techniques which are alien to our society and culture.” He reminded the participants of their important role of a parental jurisdiction.

Justice Parvez said the family court judges should be imparted training in the subject of psychology to enable them to address the psychological barriers between the rival parties, and resolve disputes amicably.

Earlier, the academy’s director-general presented an overview of the course and urged the participants to apply whatever they have learnt for the benefit of the litigants.

The chief guest gave away certificates to the judges.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2012.