Mediation Act needs to be enacted in Bangladesh, says Gita Mittal

Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court in India, on Sunday said India, Nepal, Sri Lanka have already enacted mediation laws to settle disputes. However, there is no mediation law in Bangladesh yet, she said adding that it is important to have a separate mediation law in Bangladesh.

She said this in a session of a ‘40-hour mediation training workshop’ held at the Supreme Court Mediation Centre. Bangladesh International Mediation Society (BIMS) organised the workshop.

Justice Gita Mittal said, “There is no mediation law in Bangladesh. However, its neighbouring countries India, Nepal and Sri Lanka have mediation laws. Mediation exists in Bangladeshi laws in the form of arbitration. Different laws in Bangladesh provide scope for mediation.

The importance of mediation has been mentioned repeatedly even in Quranic laws. The provision of mediation has also been kept in the Village Courts Act and in the Money Loans Act. That is why there is a need for a separate law for mediation. Then mediation will have the enforced ability to settle the disputes.”

Regarding community mediation, she said, “Community mediation can play a good role in settling disputes. Judges and lawyers can play an active role in promoting community mediation. Community mediation is not possible if lawyers and legal aid offices do not cooperate. Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Singapore have been successful in resolving disputes through Community Mediation Centres.”

Justice Mittal hoped that community mediation will accelerate its activities with the support of the Bangladeshi government. She urged the Supreme Court Mediation Centre and Community Mediation Centre to work together.

Senior Advocate Samarendra Nath Goswami, Chairman of the BIMS, was present at the programme. A total of 65 delegates participated in the programme that started on Thursday (November 23) .                                                           

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