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ALTERNATE DISPUTE REDRESSAL ( A. D. R. ). T. Mookherjee ADDITIONAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE. NORTH 24 PARGANAS And EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN
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ALTERNATE DISPUTE REDRESSAL ( A. D. R. ) T. Mookherjee ADDITIONAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE NORTH 24 PARGANAS And EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN TALUK LEGAL SERVICES COMMITTEE BARASAT (SADAR)
“To no man will we deny, to no man will we sell, or delay, justice or right” - Magna Carta – 1215
Access to Justice • Basic human rights • Dispensation of Justice - A major function of the State • Justice-delivered – Judicial institutions • Method – Adversary/adjudicatory • ( Anglo-Saxon Jurisprudence )
Adversary / Adjudicatory System:- • Parties fight • Judge, a neutral umpire • Decision – comparative merit
Major drawbacks • Parties’ participation – minimum • Technicalities – slow progress • Expensive • Win-lose situation • Accumulation of arrears
Term A.D.R. Developed in USA • A.D.R. – resolution of disputes with assistance of impartial third party
Common A.D.R. Systems • Arbitration • Agreement between the parties • Award by Arbitrator
Conciliation Agreement between the parties Active role of conciliator No award Mediation Facilitates settlement between the parties themselves
A.D.R.s • Very effective in:- • Domestic • International • Commercial disputes
A.D.Rs – benefits • Low costs and formalities • Expeditious • Parties’ participation – maximum • Result – win - win
Limitation of A.D.Rs • Not workable in all disputes/penal offences • Hidden costs • Awards challengeable • Chances of failure
Indian Scenario • Ancient India – Disputes/Civil disputes-settled locally-system simple Institutional delivery system/Adversary system introduced by British Rulers
Constitutional Commitment • Right to fair and speedy justice - fundamental right (Art. 21) • Equal justice – free legal aid (Art. 39A)
Dimension of the problem • Cases pending - end of 2005 • High Courts (Civ. And Crl.) – 35,21,283 • Average institution and disposal per year 14,00,000 – 12,00,000
District Courts • Cases pending - end of 2005 – 2,56,54,251 • Average institution per year – 1,60,00,000 (Approx.) • Average disposal per year - 1,50,00,000 (Approx.)
Strength of Judges High Courts – 726 – Vacancy – 138 District Courts (30.06.06) – 14,582 – vacancy -2860 Ratio of Judges – Population 12/13 Judges per Million Recommendation – 50 per Million.
Expenditure India – 0.2% of G.N.P. U.K. – 4.3% of G.N.P. U.S.A – 1.4% of G.N.P. Singapore – 1.20 % of G.N.P. Half of the expenditure raised from judiciary itself
Clearance of backlog – A distant dream Resort to A.D.R.s – A solution
Arbitration and Conciliation Act - 1996 • Sec. 2 to 43 – Arbitration • Sec. 61 to 81 - Conciliation
Arbitration :– • Contractual – future and present dispute • Award :– • Executable – challengeable – limited ground
Conciliation • Present dispute • Invitation by one – accepted • Conciliator’s role – agreement – • Enforceable
Sec. 80 / O. XXVII R. 5B C.P.C. Scope of amicable settlement in suits involving State – Act of public officer – Court to assist
Sec. 89 C.P.C. • Duty of the Court • Element of settlement – formulation of terms of settlement – reference to arbitration / conciliation / Judicial settlement including settlement through Lok Adalat / Mediation. • (2003) 1 S.C.C., 49 • (2005) 6 S.C.C. , 344
Lok Adalat • Best performing A.D.R. system • Introduced by Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 • Periodical Lok Adalats – all disputes • Permanent Lok Adalat – Public utility Services only • ( Not yet established in all states )
Disputes settled within legal framework through negotiations • Active role by Lok Adalat Judges • Organized by State Authority/District Authority • Supreme Court L.S. Committee/High Court L.S. Committee/Taluk L.S. Committee
Disputes settled within legal framework through negotiations-II • All cases except non-compoundable offences • Pre-litigation disputes • Executable decree / no appeal
Merits of settlement in Lok Adalats • No court fees / no costs • Lawyers not essential • Speedy / single day disposal • Involvement of the parties / simple procedures
Cases settled in Lok Adalats upto 30.09.2006 :– 2, 02, 93, 952
Nyaya Panchayet • An effective ADR • Model bill drafted • Uniform law in the process
Role of Executive Officers • Sec. 80 C.P.C./ Order 27 Rule 5B C.P.C. • Members of different committees under L.S.A. Act • In-house mechanism in all governmental departments
Aim Reduction of load from conventional courts – the demand of the day
Conclusion A supplementary system – Not a substitute