Justice Minister Pushes For Mediation To Reduce Court Backlog | RJR News

The Government of Jamaica paid over $50 million last year to mediators who were able to successfully resolve approximately 80 per cent of the cases referred to them. 

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck said the role of mediation in improving the efficiency of the justice system has yielded positive results in the parish courts. 

Speaking Monday during the Judiciary of Jamaica’s annual strategic management retreat, Mr. Chuck urged Jamaicans to mediate before they litigate. 

“It is in their best interest to mediate because it’s a win-win situation for the parties, while when they go to court, the judge makes a decision. One is a loser and one is a winner, and that’s not necessarily what either party or especially the loser wants,” he contended. 

The Justice Minister said mediation should reduce pressure on the court system. 

“These are matters, Chief, which I am really hoping that I will be able to assist the court in getting these matters completed as quickly as possible and hopefully to assist the court in reducing the backlog and making court matters only dealing with complex issues rather than day to day, run of the mill disputes and settlements,” he asserted.

Mr. Chuck is hoping that the Senate will pass the Mediation Act in September. 

He will travel to Singapore on Thursday to examine that country’s mediation framework.