Chief Justice David Maraga on Monday launched a court-assisted mediation process aimed at helping Kenyans to solve long-standing disputes.
The CJ stated the new process would help in clearing case back-log that has often hindered service delivery in the Judiciary.
Speaking at the launch of the mediation settlement week, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu underscored the Judiciary’s commitment to support mediation efforts meant to boost substantive justice.
[caption caption="CJ David Maraga"]
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“The Constitution of Kenya 2010 envisions a multi-faceted moralistic Judicial authority that recognizes alternative coexistence of ADR and alternative justice system within and alongside the justice system,” she stated.
Maraga recalled that Court-Annexed Mediation Project (CAMP) was introduced by the Judiciary in April 2016 to give warring parties an opportunity to resolve their long-standing disputes in the Family and Commercial divisions.
The pilot phase formally ended on July 7 and has been hailed as a success for having concluded 248 cases.
Mediation has resulted in the release of more than Sh1.4 billion that was tied up in litigation in the Family and Commercial divisions.
The initiative will now be rolled out in collaboration with various stakeholders, including civil society, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Mediation Accreditation Committee (MAC).
In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy CJ Mwilu, the Chief Justice added the end of the pilot face has ushered a new dawn for the Judiciary.
“It means that Court-Annexed Mediation is now a permanent dispute resolution mechanism, just like litigation,” he remarked.
[caption caption="Deputy CJ Philomena Mwilu"]
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