The Chief Justice, Justice Mrs Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has declared 15 to 19 July 2024 as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) week nationwide.
This will be the 2nd time in 2024 that the Chief Justice has declared weeks for cases to be resolved using ADR.
This is the second term of the three terms of ADR Week in the Judicial calendar.
In a Statement signed by Mr Alex Nartey, National Director of ADR at the Judicial Service stated that, the second term will begin on Monday July 15 and end of July 19.
“We wish to bring to the attention of the general public that the Chief Justice, has declared Monday, 15th to Friday, 19th July 2024 as ADR Week for this Legal Year Term.”
The Statement from Mr Nartey stated that, the theme for the week long exercise as, “Building the Pillars of Justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).”
“The rationale for the ADR week is to afford the ADR Directorate of the Judicial Service the opportunity to engage the general public to inform the citizenry of the presence of ADR within the court system, its importance in seeking justice and how to take advantage of such an important process for a meaningful access to justice especially the poor and the vulnerable.
“It is also to afford court users whose cases are pending before the courts, the benefit of using ADR during the week under what we call ‘Mass Mediation Exercise.’
The Statement added that “One Hundred and Thirty Eight (138) Courts, comprising Thirty Five (35) Circuit Courts and One Hundred and three (103) District Courts shall participate by devoting the whole week for settlement of Court cases with ADR across the country.”
“There will be court room education on ADR to deepen knowledge of ADR among the litigating public by Judges, Magistrates and ADR officials throughout the week.
“The Bar, disputants, the Media and the public are therefore encouraged to participate fully and cooperate with the Judicial Service to make this Legal Year Term’s ADR Week a success.
“Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has been adopted by the Judicial Service of Ghana as part of its adjudication process Dubbed “Court-Connected ADR”.
“The aim of this programme is to ensure that access to justice in Ghana is made easier, cheaper, non-adversarial, expeditious and flexible to all, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
“Pursuant to this, the Chief Justice in a policy directive on the Court-Connected ADR Programme, has instituted an ADR Week in every Legal Year Term, to give parties the opportunity to settle their cases through mediation and to run programmes and activities to create awareness on the availability of ADR as a compliment to the adjudication process in the Courts,” Mr Nartey stated.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Murtala Inusah