Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Chief Justice Irene Mambilima says there is need to revitalize the use of mediation as one of the means of reducing the backlog of cases and ensuring speedy dispensation of justice.
Speaking during the re-launch of the court annexed mediation settlement week in Lusaka this morning, Justice Mambilima noted that in the recent past, court annexed mediation has gone into slumber because the referral rate by the courts has not been as high as it should be.
Justice Mambilima also notes that the process has also been unpopular to most members o
f the bar who are one of the major stakeholders in the delivery of justice.
She says the perception by the legal fraternity that mediation is a process that reduces the high legal fees that would ideally be earned through litigation is not true because mediation results in high turnover of cases which means that lawyers can bill frequently.
Justice Mambilima has expressed confidence that the mediation settlement week will be a success because all the stakeholders in the justice delivery system have been brought on board.
Justice Mambilima adds that the judiciary is exploring possibilities of introducing mediation in the subordinate courts because currently mediation it only applies to the high court and the industrial relations court.
And speaking earlier, Chairperson of the mediation Justice Gertrude Chawatama says the Judges have so far referred 300 cases for settlement which demonstrates their ownership of the process.
The mediation settlement week will run from 10th August to 4th September.