Lagos: 26, 994 cases resolved through ADR in 2 years, says Ambode

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday said that 26, 994 cases were resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) platform in two years.

Ambode spoke at the 2017 Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Nigeria Branch in Lagos.

Our correspondent reports that the conference, tagged: “Strengthening the Building Blocks of Arbitration in Africa” drew participants from the legal profession, among others, from within and outside the country.

Ambode, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, said that ADR remained the modern trend and fastest way in dispute resolution, which informed the support the state had given to it.

“Already, there is a global shift to alternative dispute resolution as a means of resolving disputes.

“In Lagos State, the window of ADR is increasingly being explored by citizens as measured by the number of cases that have been effectively resolved.

“For instance, within a period of two years, 47,918 cases were brought forward for the consideration and arbitration of the Citizens Mediation Centres (CMCs), an alternative platform to litigation in conflict resolution.

“Out of this number, 28,444 cases were mediated and 26,994 cases were resolved. During this period, debt related matters valued at over N1billion were successfully settled.

“It will be extremely difficult to record this level of achievement under the traditional litigation process,” Ambode said.

The governor said that the government was committed to expanding ADR opportunities through establishment of more centres in the state, in line with global trend.

He said that ADR provided opportunities for speedy and cost effective means of dispute resolution to extend the frontier of social justice.

“With all sense of modesty, I am proud to say that Lagos state has been in the forefront of promoting the adoption of ADR system; this is the key in emerging options in arbitration.

“Fifteen years ago, the government of Lagos state blazed the trail with the establishment of the first multiple door court house in Africa with the objective to enhance access to justice by providing alternative mechanism to supplement litigation in the resolution of dispute.”

He said one of the key features of any civilised society was the existence of judicial process that would ensure effective resolution.

Ambode further explained that effectiveness of a system of dispute resolution would be determined by accessibility, speed, fairness and feeling of satisfaction by all parties to the disputes.

The governor, who called for appropriate steps to entrench and institutionalise ADR in the nation’s justice system, advocated for more awareness campaigns and engagement of experts.

He urged the CIArb to collaborate with government and institutions directly involved in the reform of the judicial system.

In her welcome address, Mrs Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, the Chairman of CIArb, Nigeria Branch, said that the institution collaborated with others in the interest of furthering arbitration and ADR as the preferred means of dispute resolution.

Rhodes-Vivour said: “We are committed to advocating a conducive environment in our jurisdiction for the practice of ADR.

“The institution provides education and training for arbitrators, mediators, and adjudicators. It also acts as a global hub for practioners, policy makers, academics and those in business supporting the global promotion,facilitation and development of all ADR methods,” she said.

Rhodes-Vivour, who noted that there was a growing number of African arbitration centres across the region, said that visionary governments were developing their counties into arbitration hubs.

“The realisation of an internationally-recognised arbitration hub sends the right message to investors.

“A perception of political and legal stability, a stable and transparent judiciary, a secure and safe environment gives investors the confidence to invest,” she said.

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Kazeem Adeniji, said that the state had embraced ADR by establishment of CMCs, Multi-Door Court House and Court of Arbitration.

He said that Lagos was being made a Centre of Arbitration, as courts are not sufficient to be able to resolve all disputes.

“We must look for other methods of resolving disputes; the platform, Lagos government has provided.

“Lagosians should use them – ADR. Lagos has been commended for ease of doing business; ease of doing business also means ease of resolving disputes,” Adeniji said.

The Attorney-General, who noted that over 40,000 cases had been handled by CMCs, said that arbitration made dispute resolution faster.

In her opening remarks, Mrs Folashade Alli , the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee, however, said that factors hindering ADR must be removed.

Alli, a Chartered Administrator, called for harmonisation for Arbitration bodies to make the country a hub, saying issues of security and other logistics had to be taken care of.

She said that anybody, not just lawyers, could be an arbitrator.