Srinagar: A one-day training programme for Referral Judges was organised at the Jammu and Kashmir Judicial Academy, Srinagar, under the aegis of the Mediation and Conciliation Committee (MCC) of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh as part of the Supreme Court-backed “Mediation for the Nation 3.0” campaign.
Addressing the participants, Justice Rajnesh Oswal described Referral Judges as the “gatekeepers” of the justice delivery system and emphasised the need to refer the right case to the right forum at the right time. He said mediation offers faster, confidential and relationship-preserving solutions and is particularly effective in commercial, matrimonial, family, property, neighbourhood and suitable cheque dishonour disputes.
Justice Oswal cautioned against referring matters involving serious fraud, power imbalances, settled questions of law or cases requiring urgent judicial intervention. He stressed that careful judicial screening and effective communication with litigants are essential for the success of mediation.
Director of the J&K Judicial Academy, Naseer Ahmad Dar, in his introductory address, highlighted mediation as a vital tool for ensuring fair, expeditious and cost-effective justice. He underlined the role of Referral Judges in identifying suitable cases and encouraging meaningful participation in the mediation process.
The technical sessions were conducted by Justice Bashir A. Kirmani, former Judge of the J&K High Court, who discussed the legal framework of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and explained the principles, stages and advantages of mediation.
In a separate session, Justice Kirmani focused on the practical responsibilities of Referral Judges, including identifying appropriate cases, deciding the stage of referral, preparing litigants and lawyers for mediation and framing effective referral orders.
The programme, moderated by Faizan-ul-Haq Iqbal, Coordinator of the Main Mediation Centre and Registrar Rules of the High Court, remained interactive with judicial officers discussing referral guidelines, best practices and challenges in strengthening mediation as an integral part of the justice delivery system.
