Justice Delivery: Rivers Chief Judge Registers New ADR Centres

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt  

Determined to ensure quick dispensation of justice and reduce the number of cases in court, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi has presented certificates to two newly registered Private Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centres. The registered Private ADR Centres are Praeclarus Alternative Dispute Resolution Services and Harmony Arbitration, Mediation and Peace Building Centre, both based in Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the event, which held at the Judges Meeting Room of the High Court Complex, Port Harcourt, Justice Amadi tasked the two new ADR Centre to uphold the highest standards of the practice. As the Chairman of the Governing Council of Rivers State Multi-Door Courthouse (RSMDC), he also charged them to be diligent in the discharge of their duties, saying that they should never compromise the standard of ADR practice and to observe the regulations set out in the Collaboration Regulations by the RSMDC.

According to the Chief Judge, “the compromise of the Regulations shall lead to the cancellation of the registration by the authorities of the RSMDC”. He restated his determination to decongest the courts of numerous cases through the ADR, while calling on Lawyers and litigants to make use of ADR, as it would go a long way in ensuring quick access to justice delivery.   

Also speaking, the Director of Rivers State Multi-Door Courthouse, Victor Nweke noted that both Praeclarus Alternative Dispute Resolution Services led by former Rivers Commissioner for Education, Alice Lawrence-Nemi and Harmony Arbitration, Mediation and Peace Building Centre, led by Professor Fidelis Allen, fulfilled all requirements to be registered as Private ADR Centres. According to him, “registration of a Private ADR Centres, has the advantage of co-referral of cases between the RSMDC and the registered private ADR Centre”, adding that “in essence, the registration permits RSMDC to release some of its cases, including court-referred cases to the registered Private ADR Centres because of the trust of the RSMDC”.

“The collaboration with the Private ADR Centres, also has the advantage of reducing congestion of cases in the dockets of the courts; it improves the trust of the public to file walk in matters in the registered ADR Centres with the understating that the outcomes of ADR processes of the Centres will be registered with the RSMDC, and the RSMDC shall transmit same to the ADR Judges through the Chief Judge who is the Chief ADR Judge of the State for judgement, recognition/enforcement orders or any final order of court.”

Nweke stressed that the procedure automatically makes the outcome of a walk in ADR matter of a registered private ADR centre acquire the status of res judicata, which also makes it increase the enforcement of the outcome.

Speaking on behalf of the two ADR Centres, Alice Lawrence-Nemi appreciated the significance of the moment, and the role the Judiciary plays in fostering effective dispute resolutions. She stressed their commitment to contributing positively to the legal profession, and upholding the standards of excellence that the certificate represents.

“We are honoured with the trust placed on us; we are grateful for the continued support of the Chief Judge in advancing ADR practices in Rivers State, and we look forward to other States in the region following the lead Rivers State is setting”, she stated.