The Kaduna Multi-Door Courthouse has intensified efforts to expand access to justice through innovative alternative dispute resolution initiatives, including plans to take mediation and reconciliation services to communities across all wards in Kaduna.

The director of the KDMDC, Dorcas Levy Daniel, said the centre remained committed to providing speedy, affordable and amicable dispute resolution mechanisms that complement conventional court processes and promote peaceful coexistence.

“Settlement Week, which is slated to take place from 27th July 2026 to 31st August 2026, is more than an event — it is a movement that brings justice closer to the people through mediation, reconciliation and peaceful resolution,” she said.

Ms Daniel explained that the 2026 Settlement Week would feature decentralised pre-event mediation activities in Zaria, Kafanchan and Saminaka, ahead of the main programme in Kaduna, as part of efforts to deepen grassroots access to ADR services.

According to Ms Daniel, the KDMDC provides multiple dispute resolution channels, including mediation, arbitration, conciliation, early neutral evaluation, Islamic dispute resolution (Sulhu), native law and custom, counselling, trauma healing and restorative justice.

Ms Daniel said the centre handles a broad range of disputes, including commercial matters, family disagreements, tenancy and land disputes, labour issues, communal conflicts, political disagreements, and compoundable offences.

She noted that the KDMDC was conceived in 1998 during an ADR workshop organised by the British Council, Kaduna, and was officially inaugurated on December 1, 2011, by retired Justice R.H. Cudjoe.

She added that ADR practice directions were later issued in 2015 by retired Justice Tanimu Zailani to strengthen dispute resolution processes in the state.

The director said the current administration of the centre had introduced several reforms aimed at improving justice delivery and reducing the burden on conventional courts.

Ms Daniel stated that the chief judge of Kaduna, M.T.M. Aliyu, in 2024, inducted the first set of panels of neutrals and inaugurated ADR ambassadors to promote peaceful dispute resolution across the state.

Ms Daniel also highlighted the achievements of the third KDMDC Settlement Week held in July 2024, which recorded increased public participation and a high number of court referrals.

According to her, mediation cases at the centre are usually resolved within 30 to 60 days, while conciliation and early neutral evaluation processes can be concluded within one to seven days.

She added that arbitration matters may take up to 90 days, depending on their complexity.

The director further disclosed that the centre provides ADR training for prospective mediators, students and members of the public interested in becoming dispute resolution practitioners, with successful participants awarded certificates after assessment.

Ms Daniel said the KDMDC collaborates with organisations such as the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, the Legal Aid Council, the Public Complaints Commission, and the Human Rights Commission.

She reiterated the centre’s commitment to promoting harmony, reducing litigation costs and building public confidence in the justice system.

“The goal is to make peace happen by ensuring that disputes are resolved fairly, amicably and efficiently,” Ms Daniel said.

She added that the Settlement Week initiative had continued to foster a less confrontational environment for resolving disputes, thereby fostering peace, cooperation, and mutual understanding among the parties.

(NAN)