A basic Training Course on Mediation organized by Mediation and Conciliation Committee, High Court was today inaugurated by Justice Gita Mittal, Chief Justice, here at the High Court Complex.In her inaugural address, Justice Gita Mittal underscored the significance of mediation in justice delivery system and exhorted legal practitioners to work towards making mediation as a movement in the state. Justice Mittal further said that she does not see mediation as a way to reduce the arrears only but it brings peace and harmony not only amongst the disputing parties but in the society as a whole.Justice Mittal further sought synergized efforts by judicial officers and lawyers towards institutionalization of the mechanism of mediation for the larger benefit and satisfaction of the litigant public. She said mediation is programme which we cannot undertake without the participation of Bar.Referring to a civil dispute between the siblings which had resulted in loss of a life, she informed as to how, while dealing with criminal appeal against conviction and sentence as judge of Delhi High Court, she referred the parties to mediation and the intervention of Mediator could settle the civil dispute between the parties. She further said that the mediation is extremely empowering process where litigants leave the room with satisfactionAppreciating the efforts of the Mediation and Conciliation Committee in holding such educative courses, Justice Mittal said this training course will definitely do wonders towards adding to the knowledge of the mediation lawyers, besides enhancing their excellence and expertise in the field.
She exhorted upon the participants to learn the innovative methods and techniques of mediation from the eminent experts and make optimum use of the same.Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chairman, Mediation and Conciliation Committee, High Court of J&K, in his address gave an over view of the concept of mediation and further said that the mediation had been an integral part of Indian Culture and traditionally going to Courts was considered against one’s reputation. He said that mediation has a potential to be the most effective instrument towards ensuring expeditious disposal of cases.The inaugural session was attended by Justice Rajesh Bhindal; Executive Chairman, JKSLSA Justice Sanjeev Kumar; Registrar General, Sanjay Dhar; Secretary Law, Govt. of U.T of J&K, Achal Sethi; Registrar Inspection Shahzad Azeem; Member Secretary, JKSLSA, M.K Sharma; Pr. Secretary to the Chief Justice, Jawad Ahmed; District Judge, Sunit Gupta and officers of Registry.Registrar Rules and Coordinator, Mediation and Conciliation Centre, Jammu, Bala Jyoti presented vote of thanks.The Training Course has been organised by the Mediation and Conciliation Committee of the High Court J&K, in collaboration with State legal Services Authority of UT of Jammu and Kashmir.Sr. Advocate J.P Singh; Advocate, Veena Ralli and Advocate Mitali Gupta from Delhi are Resource Persons in the Training Course, whereat, 47 advocates from all the 10 Districts of Jammu province are participants.