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A.P. Shah advocates alternative dispute resolution mechanism

S. Nadarajan

Says it will benefit justice delivery system

FLEXIBLE MECHANISM: Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Justice A.P. Shah, sharing his thoughts with executive chairman of the UTPLSA Authority, Justice P. Sathasivam (to his right), at a workshop on mediation in Puducherry on Saturday. — Photo: T. Singaravelou

Puducherry: Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Justice A.P. Shah has said that `alternative dispute resolution' (ADR) refers to any method of resolving disputes outside the traditional framework of established justice delivery system or courts.

Inaugurating a one-day workshop on mediation organised by the Union Territory of Pondicherry Legal Services Authority (UTPLSA) and the Bar Associations of Puducherry and Karaikal here on Saturday, he said mediation was a flexible mechanism paving the way for a result that was acceptable to all. It ensured faster, cheaper, flexible and ideal solution to those who did not want to entangle themselves in litigation that might take decades to yield a result.

Mr. Justice Shah said ADR would be beneficial to the justice delivery system when efficiently implemented. It would provide the much needed relief to courts. Increased settlements of certain disputes outside courts would allow them to concentrate more on cases where judicial attention and scrutiny was imperative. Mr. Justice Shah said mediation was not costly and would end in a "win-win situation." It had spread its wings all over the country and society would slowly move from adversarial litigation to negotiated settlements.

The Chief Justice also launched website of the UTPLSA.

Justice P.D. Dinakaran of the Madras High Court, who presided, said mediation ensured a healing touch to litigants. It was an art and India was a pioneer in the art of mediation as could be seen from epics and historical anecdotes.Justice R. Sathasivam of the Madras High Court who is the executive chairman of the UTPLSA, said that recourse to ADR was the need of the hour. Senior lawyer from Mumbai Firdosh Ali Kassam was the resource person. Puducherry Bar Association president C.T. Ramesh and his Karaikal counterpart S.M. Habeeb Mohammed spoke.

Chief Judge of Puducherry M. Chinnapandi welcomed the gathering. Member secretary of the UTPLSA D. Ramabathiran proposed a vote of thanks.

Mahila Court opened

Our Special Correspondent reports from Cuddalore. Addressing a function held to inaugurate a Mahila Court in Cuddalore, Mr. Justice Shah said a proposal to construct combined court buildings in districts was hanging fire for years. The State Government had to release funds for the project, estimated to cost Rs. 165 crore. He was responding to a plea made by the Cuddalore Bar Association.

Justice Shah said the Mahila Court was the eighth such venture in the State. He further said the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy would conduct workshops for sensitising Judicial Magistrates on prevention of trafficking in women and children. Justices Prabha Sridevan, A. Kulasekaran and M. Thanikachalam participated.

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