“Along with increased awareness campaigns to educate the public, the role of Courts assumes great importance in realizing the full potential of ADR”: Justice N.V Ramana
Addressing the 1st Justice J.S. Verma Memorial ADR & Client Counselling Competition, Justice N.V. Ramana observed that, “He (Justice J.S. Verma) believed in settling issues by means of arbitration, mediation and conciliation from the very beginning and stressed on the necessity of a steadier and more efficient system of arbitration.” He highlighted the issue of pendency of cases and observed that we cannot remain ignorant of the large number of pending cases. He also suggested certain methods of dealing with judicial delays such as, ‘reforming the judicial process and strengthening the judicial infrastructure’ and ‘settling existing disputes through amicable dispute resolution methods’.
Further, Justice Ramana observed that the different ADR processes can provide millions of people a platform to settle their issues and an effective execution of these processes can surely reduce the pendency. He also emphasized that the ADR mechanisms maximize stakeholder participation and allow litigants a degree of control over the resolution process. In this context, he observed, “Since ADR is designed around a participatory model, its adoption is going to break existing barrier; from being am ‘outsider to the process’ the citizens with their direct involvement will be the ‘insiders in the process’”.
At last, he highlighted the integral role of Legal Services Authorities in disposal of cases through ADR mechanisms. He revealed that over 1,32,378 cases were resolved through mediation in the year 2019 and 2020. He commended the efforts of Legal Services Authorities during the pandemic by observing that, “swiftly adapting to challenges faced during the pandemic, the Legal Services Authorities innovatively leveraged technology and introduced E-Lok Adalats and Online mediations. Over 78,41,641 cases were disposed of by National Lok Adalats in 2019 and 2020, out of which 39,41,418 cases were disposed of at the pre-litigation stage itself.”
Hon’ble Justice A M Khanwilkar, Judge, Supreme Court of India, who was also present on the occasion , remembered Justice Verma and his commitment to the Rule of Law. He highlighted Justice Verma’s celebrated judgment in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan and his personal liking towards the ADR.
The Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Management Studies (MAIMS) is conducting its 1st Justice J.S. Verma Memorial ADR & Client Counselling Competition from 17 -19 March 2021. The inaugural ceremony of the competition was held on 17th March at India International Centre.
A book on Specific Contracts by Prof (Dr.) Rajni Malhotra Dhingra, was also released on the occasion.