Supreme Court Advocates Alternative Dispute Resolution
The Supreme Court (SC) has strongly recommended the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as a way to improve access to justice. ADR offers faster, more flexible, and often less expensive solutions compared to traditional court litigation. These benefits make ADR an attractive option for resolving conflicts efficiently.
Understanding Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Philippine Judiciary
The key forms of ADR in the country’s judicial system include mediation, conciliation, and arbitration. While ADR can be applied in criminal cases, it is limited to the civil aspects of these disputes. This approach helps parties reach agreements without enduring lengthy court trials.
Mandatory Court-Annexed Mediation Speeds Up Cases
One important ADR method is court-annexed mediation (CAM), which serves as a required pre-trial process. Here, a judge refers disputing parties to a neutral mediator who assists them in reaching an amicable settlement. This mediation happens under court supervision and aims to resolve issues before a full trial begins.
Orientation Conferences Promote Mediation Awareness
To support ADR adoption, the SC’s Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) has been conducting Orientation Conferences with Stakeholders (OCS) on CAM. Recent events held in various provinces have introduced the goals and benefits of mediation to judges, court employees, local government representatives, lawyers, prosecutors, police, academics, media, and other stakeholders.
Local authorities have expressed strong support for these initiatives. One provincial governor highlighted the importance of collaboration between courts and local government units to promote peaceful dispute resolution.
Roles and Strategic Plans for ADR Expansion
Court administrators and officials emphasize the critical roles that the OCA, judges, and court personnel play in encouraging peaceful settlements through ADR. These efforts align with the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027, which aims to broaden the reach of CAM programs nationwide.
By expanding mediation and other ADR tools, the judiciary hopes to reduce case backlogs and deliver justice more swiftly and affordably for all Filipinos.
For more news and updates on alternative dispute resolution, visit Filipinokami.com.