No-trial dispute resolution centre in Kohima

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 1 (EMN): The legal authorities have introduced a unique platform that is envisaged to resolve disputes and court cases without going to trial. A ‘mediation centre’ was inaugurated on Dec. 1 at the Kohima bench of the Gauhati High Court by Supreme Court judge, Justice Sharad A Bobde.

In his address to the gathering, Justice Bobde said that the “honest” and “straight forwardness” nature of the Nagas will serve as the right atmosphere for the mediation centre. He was of the view that combining the traditional ways of settling disputes in the mediation process will bring better results because the traditional methods ‘inspire people more than the civil procedures’ in the Northeast region. In fact, he said, “Christianity contains one of the finest features of mediation.”

Bobde said that “decision is very important” for any judge because it decides for both the parties. Sometimes a court decree is not always satisfactory as there is dissatisfaction even after a dispute is won, he said. “Natural satisfaction” is missing at this point, he said. He added that the best way to resolving any dispute was through a decision by both the parties.

The chief justice of the Gauhati High Court and patron-in-chief of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), AS Bopanna, was the guest of honour for the day’s event. Advocates should identify precedents and old cases to resolve issues on time, the gathering was told. He likened the mediation centre to Ayurvedic medicine—there is ‘no side effect.’ One can always approach and make use of the centre to the best possible way, he said.

Justice N Kotiswar Singh of the Gauhati High Court said in his welcome address that the centre was an “epoch” in the history of Nagaland.

Commendation awards were given to various districts and individual for their contribution. The inaugural and commendation ceremony was organised by the court, and the NSLSA.