Zambia’s Judiciary reaffirms commitment to alternative dispute…

The Zambian Judiciary has reaffirmed its commitment to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, with a focus on commercial mediation to enhance access to justice and reduce court backlog. Speaking at the opening of the Advanced Commercial Mediation Training for Judges, Magistrates, Judicial Officers, and Staff, Chief Justice Mumba Malila, who was represented by Advisory Committee on Court- Annexed Mediation and Delay Reduction Justice, Abba Patel, emphasised the importance of ADR in resolving disputes in a timely and cost effective manner. Dr Malila said the government attaches great importance to ADR and stands firm on the belief that battles are not necessarily resolved in courtrooms, but at the negotiating table.

He added that the training is a collaboration between the Zambian Judiciary and Pepperdine University’s Sudro Global Justice Institute, which is aimed at equipping judicial officers with skills to make meaningful referrals to mediation and resolve commercial disputes effectively. Professor DeWalt highlighted the strategic importance of the training, saying, “If ADR is to take hold in Zambia, it will be because of the leadership in this room,” “The Chief Justice of Zambia has been unanimously selected as the next chair of the Africa Chief Justice’s ADR Forum,” Prof DeWalt said.