The ADR Week of this Legal Year Term of the Judicial Service of Ghana, kicks off today, with courts across the country referring more cases for settlement through ADR processes, particularly mediation.
The ADR Week, which will be observed from Monday 18th to Friday 22nd March 2024, as declared by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has the theme, “Building the Pillars of Justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution.”
Its key objective is to promote public awareness of the benefits and availability of ADR services at the Courts to encourage patronage.
It is also to afford court users whose cases are pending before the courts the benefit of using ADR during the week, which will be characterized by mass mediation sessions.
A total of 136 Courts, comprising 35 Circuit Courts and 101 District Courts are participating in the ADR Week by devoting the whole period for the settling of court cases using ADR mechanisms, particularly mediation.
According to the statement signed by Mr Alex Nartey, Director of ADR at the Judicial Service, the Week will be officially opened this morning with a press briefing at the Cape Coast Commercial Court “A” in the Central Region.
ADR has been adopted by the Judicial Service of Ghana since 2005 as part of its adjudication process dubbed, “Court-Connected ADR,” which aims to ensure that access to justice in Ghana is made easier, cheaper, non-adversarial, expeditious, and flexible to all, particularly the poor and vulnerable.