Mediation at all courts

The New Straits Times By V. Anbalagan

PUTRAJAYA: Mediation process will be introduced at all courts in an effort to dispose of cases speedily.

A statement from the judiciary, issued following the conclusion of the three-day Judges' Conference on Sunday, said disputing parties were encouraged to write to the respective courts if they intended to conclude their matters through mediation.

Currently, mediation is confined to the New Commercial Court (NCC) based at the High Courts in various states.

Mediation process is strongly advocated by the present administrators in the judiciary to dispose of backlog of cases.

The statement prepared by the Federal Court public relations officer, Yasmin Abdul Razak, said the achievement at the NCC, which began operations on Sept 1 last year, was very encouraging.

"The objective of setting up the court (NCC) is to ensure that the disposal of commercial cases can be increased and time taken to complete is shortened," the statement said.

Cases filed at the NCC could be completed within nine months from the date of registration.

In September, 289 cases were registered and up to end of March this year, only 39 cases had yet to be disposed of.

The statement said a special panel had been set up in the Court of Appeal to hear appeals relating to commercial matters.

"The panel will dispose of appeals one month from the date the appeal records are filed."

So far eight appeal cases have been dealt with.

"The judiciary's aspiration to clear NCC cases within a year at the Court of Appeal from the time they are registered has been achieved."