SNS KASHMIR
Srinagar 19 July :
The Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court Hon’ble Justice N. Kotiswar Singh inaugurated a 40-hour Mandatory Mediation Training Programme (MMTP) for Advocates of Kashmir Province at J&K Judicial Academy, Moominabad, Srinagar on Wednesday.
The occasion saw the august presence of Hon’ble Justice Tashi Rabstan, Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, & Chairman, Mediation and Conciliation Committee, as well as Hon’ble Justice Atul Sreedharan, Hon’ble Justice Sindhu Sharma, Hon’ble Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, Hon’ble Justice Mohd. Akram Choudhary and Hon’ble Justice Rajesh Sekhri, Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
40-Hour Mandatory Mediation Training Programme was an initiative of the Mediation & Conciliation Committee, High Court of J&K and Ladakh under the aegis of MCPC, Supreme Court of India, aimed at equipping advocates with specialized skills and in-depth knowledge of mediation practices.
The inauguration of the 40-hour MMTP marks a significant step towards a more efficient, accessible, and harmonious Alternate Dispute Resolution system in the U.T of J &K in general and Kashmir Province in particular. “By equipping advocates with mediation skills, the aim is to encourage amicable settlements, and reinforce the principles of justice and equality,” reads the statement.
During the inaugural address, the Chief Justice emphasized the transformative power of mediation in facilitating swift, fair, and cost-effective resolutions. He highlighted the need for advocates to embrace mediation as a valuable tool to enhance access to justice, alleviate burdens on the judiciary, and promote harmony within the community.
Justice Tashi Rabstan, in his special address, gave insightful remarks on the advantages of mediation and the ADR system. He shed light on the effectiveness of mediation in resolving disputes, reducing litigation costs, and preserving relationships.
Y. P Bourney, Director, J&K Judicial Academy delivered a welcome address, expressing therein enthusiasm for the transformative impact of the mediation training programme on the legal community as a whole. Amit Gupta, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority and Coordinator, Mediation and Conciliation Committee, in his vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to all the distinguished guests, participants, senior as well as potential trainers, and organizers who contributed to the success of the programme.
Those who were present on the occasion include M.K. Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Justice, Jawad Ahmed, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Srinagar, Tasleem Arif, Registrar Vigilance, Rajinder Sapru, Registrar Rules, Anoop Sharma, Registrar IT, Prem Sagar, Secretary, HCLSC and Abdul Bari, Joint Registrar (Protocol).
The event also celebrated the commitment of Justice N. Kotiswar Singh towards environmental sustainability, as the Chief Justice engaged in planting a tree within the premises of the J&K Judicial Academy. This initiative symbolizes the dedication of the Chief Justice to environmental conservation and fostering a greener future for coming generations.
The proceedings of the inaugural session were conducted by Jahangir Ahmad Bakshi, Secretary DLSA, Srinagar.