The chief judge (CJ) of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, has said that adopting alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in civil cases, rather than litigation, is not a threat to legal practice.

Mr Odusola stated this on Friday at the Stakeholders’ Town Hall Engagement on the Operations of the Ondo Multi-Door Courthouse in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

ADR is the adoption of mediation, conciliation, arbitration and other methods to resolve disputes instead of legal action in court.

The event had as its theme: “Access to Justice: Strengthening Public Confidence in the Justice System through the Ondo Multi-door Courthouse.”

He added that the ADR initiative was an essential complement to enhance the overall effectiveness of the state’s justice system.

The CJ said that by embracing ADR, lawyers would not only serve their clients better but also contribute to the broader goal of justice sector reform.

He said that the ADR initiative would ensure justice is accessible to all, stressing, “Justice should never be construed as confined to the four walls of a courtroom; rather, it is a service that needs to be actively delivered to every corner of society.”

Mr Odusola urged all stakeholders to become ambassadors of ADR within their respective spheres of influence, to promote, support, and utilise it.

“One of the cardinal objectives of the judiciary is to ensure access to justice for all, regardless of status, location, or financial capacity. The Ondo State Multi-door Courthouse is a powerful tool in achieving this objective by bringing ADR services closer to the people.

“We are decentralising justice and making it more inclusive. The success of ADR, and indeed the effectiveness of the Multi-Door Courthouse, does not depend solely on the judiciary.

“It requires the active collaboration and support of all stakeholders. The task before us is clear. We must work together to deepen the acceptance and utilisation of ADR through the Ondo State Multi-door Courthouse,” the CJ said.

He said that ADR could address the alarmingly high backlog of cases crippling courts, creating delays that could lead to miscarriages of justice and the disenfranchisement of citizens waiting for justice.

Also speaking, the director-general of the Ondo State Multi-Door Courthouse, Dickson Ogunfuyi, said that litigation was not always the most suitable path for every dispute, hence the importance of the ADR approach.

Mr Ogunfuyi added that ADR offered flexibility, confidentiality, speed, and, most importantly, mutually beneficial solutions.

He said that the stakeholders’ engagement gave room for opportunities to partner with all strata of society in ensuring the dispensation of justice.

“Distinguished participants, the Multi-Door Courthouse provides a platform where disputes can be resolved through mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and other Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.

“These processes are not only faster and more cost-effective but also help maintain relationships and promote community harmony. However, the success of this system does not rest solely on the judiciary or the institutional framework.

“It depends, to a very large extent, on the awareness, acceptance, and active participation of all stakeholders gathered here today. It is our expectation that at the end of today’s deliberations, there will be increased awareness of the services and benefits offered by the Ondo State Multi-Door Courthouse,” he said.

In his remarks, the representative of the traditional rulers in the local government area, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, Orunja of Odigbo, appreciated the initiative, asking for more enlightenment.

Mr Akinrinmade promised that traditional rulers would support the initiative in the area to ensure its success.

The commissioner of police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, welcomed the ADR initiative, describing it as a great relief for the police and promising to promote the initiative.

The chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Ore, Olalekan Agunbiade, enjoined lawyers to educate their clients on ADR, adding, “It’s not all cases that need to go through conventional courts.”

Also, Bamisile Adewale, the state chairman of the Institute of Chartered Mediators, asked stakeholders to support ADR, saying it would greatly ensure the dispensation of justice in a short time.    

(NAN)