Alternative dispute resolution gains ground as Zambia judiciary settles 511 cases through mediation in 2025

The Judiciary of Zambia says it is increasingly relying on mediation to resolve disputes, with 511 cases successfully settled through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) last year. According to the judiciary, 1,540 matters were referred to mediation in 2025 across the High Court and Subordinate Courts in Lusaka, Ndola, Kabwe and Livingstone. Chairperson of the Chief Justice’s Advisory Committee, Justice Abha N.

Patel, said the numbers reflected growing confidence in mediation as a faster and less costly method of resolving disputes. “Statistics clearly demonstrate that mediation is playing an increasingly important role in resolving disputes in our courts,” she said. She noted that the Industrial Relations Division of the High Court recorded the highest number of mediation referrals at 952 cases, followed by the General List with 246 and the Commercial Division with 182.

Justice Patel said the judiciary remained committed to strengthening ADR mechanisms to improve access to justice and reduce case backlogs. The judiciary has further announced plans to expand mediation initiatives, with Mediation Settlement Week expected to be held twice a year—in August and December—to encourage more parties to resolve disputes outside the courtroom. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.