Mediation centre helps in quick disposal of civil disputes, says district judge

NT Correspondent Mysuru: Principal District and Sessions Court Judge Ravindra Heggade on Saturday urged litigants to utilize mediation centers, emphasizing that these centers not only facilitate the quick resolution of civil disputes but also provide an opportunity for amicable settlements. He spoke at the inauguration of a two-day training program for mediators from the Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, and Kodagu districts. The program was jointly organized by the State Legal Services Authority, Bengaluru Mediation Centre, and District Legal Services Authority, and held at the Zilla Panchayat Hall in Mysuru. Judge Heggade noted that although mediators may not successfully resolve every civil dispute, they should make sincere efforts to achieve amicable solutions between disputing parties. He highlighted that Mysuru district courts currently have over one lakh pending cases, of which nearly 45,000 are civil cases.

He emphasized that mediation centers must play a proactive role in expediting the disposal of these cases. He cited the Bengaluru Mediation Centre, established in 2007, as a successful model, commending its efforts in helping litigants resolve civil disputes amicably. Currently, 20 mediators are appointed to each district mediation center, and he encouraged these centers to maintain similar progress. District Principal Family Court Judge Savithri S. Kunji noted that her court has the highest number of pending civil disputes. She urged referral judges and advocates to direct cases to mediation centers for faster resolutions.