Islamabad, October 26, 2021—High Court of Balochistan and UNDP Pakistan held a consultative workshop on court annexed mediation. The two-day consultative workshop was held with support from the European Union.

Sub-section 89-A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 is one such provision which provides for amicable settlement of civil disputes through mediation. Despite the sub-section inserted in the CPC in 2002, efforts are still required to operationalize the provision in Balochistan. 

To discuss options and to get input of legal experts; representatives of high courts, judicial academies, and judicial officers from all over the country were invited. Experts from all seven High Courts and Judicial Academies of the Country discussed various options and proposed valuable recommendations and way forward on the Court Annexed mediation under section 89-A of Civil Procedure Code, 1908.

The worthy Registrar High Court of Balochistan Mr. Rashid Mehmood explained that the High Court is working on establishment of ADR Courts/Centers all over Balochistan to reduce the burden on formal courts and provide efficient and timely justice to the people. He appreciated the support of UNDP’s Amn-o-Insaf Programme, and the European Union for organizing the event and support to the rule of law and justice institutions in Pakistan, particularly Balochistan.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop, Resident Representative UNDP Pakistan Knut Ostby thanked EU for their support to Rule of Law institutions in Balochistan and appreciated the High Court of Balochistan for initiating the dialogue on the subject as it will provide speedy justice to the people of the region. He further explained that UNDP will continue support to Rule of Law institutions in the region, particularly the Judiciary, to strengthen the informal justice mechanism of court annexed mediation for amicable settlement of disputes between the parties.

For additional information, please contact Ayesha Babar at ayesha.babar@undp.org  or +92 (51) 835 5650

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