Mediation organised by the District Legal Services Authority at Kottayam

Supreme Court Judge, Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan has stressed the role of professional mediation in resolving disputes which otherwise would have been taken to courts. He was inaugurating the training programme for mediators being organised by the District Legal Service Authority.

Taking the disputes to the courts would not only be a drain on the valet for both the parties, but also would result in inordinate delay in getting justice, he pointed out. While not all disputes could take the mediation path, there are a number of disputes which can be resolved by mediation, he pointed out.

Mr. Radhakrishnan also stressed the role of the judges who according to him, should take the initiative in convincing the parties of moving the mediation centres, those cases which could be resolved through mediation.

The biggest advantage of mediation was the fact that it helps not only to resolve the existing dispute, but also ensures that it does not leave hatred among the parties once the dispute was resolved.

To play an effective role, the mediators should be well-trained and should be knowledgeable. However, to be successful mediator one should be humane in his approach, Mr. Radhakrishnan said. District judge and district legal services Authority chairman R. Jyotheendranath presided over the inaugural function. Chief Judicial Magistrate Amir Ali, Kottayam Bar Association president Shivamoni Kaimal spoke on the occasion. Eminent experts Laila Ollappally, Sheila Krishna, Shanta Chellappa led the classes.

Thirty persons selected from the various courts and Thaluk Legal Services Committees participate in the training programme which will conclude on Wednesday, February 17.