LAS Presents Pak’s First Mediation Bill

News Desk

Gilgit: The Legal Aid Society of Pakistan has presented the ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Mediation Bill 2023’ to Gilgit-Baltistan Cabinet and GB Legislative Assembly members in the presence of the GB Chief Court which, if passed as a law, will allow parties to settle their disputes through mediation in a completely confidential manner.

The first standalone legislative instrument mandating mediation in Pakistan provides ample space for the legal fraternity to participate actively in the process while also maintaining the sanctity of non-decision-based customary dispute resolution forums.

The bill includes best practises from provincial laws across Pakistan and global legislation while addressing gaps identified during implementation of these laws.

As the bill has been tabled and received overwhelming support from cabinet members who vowed to table it for debate at the earliest, 54 individuals from GB belonging to community organisations, legal fraternities and religious dispute resolution forums were being trained on the standard, which is IMEI compliant, by the Pakistan Mediators Association.

The bill, if passed as a law, will file settlement agreements in respective courts, against which court decrees will be issued.

The GB Chief Judge committed to providing space within the chief court to the Musaliha International Centre for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (MICADR) in Gilgit and Skardu and to recognise MICADR as a court-recognised ADR Centre.