The acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has urged lawyers and judicial service staff to embrace court-connected alternative dispute resolution (CCADR) as a viable and preferable first option for resolving issues within its scope.
He emphasized that this alternative system helps reduce the workload on the courts while also cutting down the costs and avoiding delays associated with formal litigation.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie made these remarks during the opening of this year’s National ADR advocacy week on Monday July 21, in the Eastern Region.
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“Justice lies in the heart of every society, while traditional courts served Ghana well, it’s often costly and time consuming. Court connected ADR provides efficient tools, mediation, arbitration and reconciliation that helps resolve dispute in a more humane constructive manner, ” Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said.
He urged Judiciary staff and the bar to embrace Court Connected ADR as part of the justice delivery process, but not as an afterthought, but a viable and preferred first choice.
“Commit to justice systems where fairness, dialogue and resolution triumph. This initiative helps settle backlog cases and inform citizens and stakeholders. To our mediators and partner institutions, your role is crucial, let’s continue working together to expand CCADR services nationwide,” he said.
Currently 138 courts are connected to the National ADR program. 19 of them are in the Eastern Region.
The weeklong event is on the theme, building the pillars of justice delivery through Court Connected Alternative dispute resolution (CCADR).
Court connected ADR in not suitable for every case, especially those involving serious criminal matters. In cases of civil and family dispute, the CCADR proved to be effective and transformative.
Source: 3News
