Justice S.B. Sinha addresses participants during the mediation training workshop at the Ranchi civil court on Saturday. Picture by Manik Bose

Ranchi, Jan. 3: Mediation, an out-of-the-court-settlement of legal disputes, has helped put a check on the swelling volume of criminal and civil cases in the state.

There was a slump of 7 per cent in filing criminal cases and 2.6 per cent in civil cases in 2007 as compared to 2006, said Supreme Court Justice S.B. Sinha.

Justice Sinha was here to attend a programme organised by the Jharkhand Legal Services Authority and the District Legal Services Authority. He said: “Mediation is a handy tool and has a convincing success rate.” Justice Sinha said the worst of enemies enter the court and step out as good friends.

“There are fundamental rights that the Indian Constitution has guaranteed and courts are functioning to uphold the same. Despite our best efforts, there have been instances of delay in delivery of justice. In such circumstances, mediation becomes an important tool in redressing the disputes,” Sinha added.

The training programme has been planned to target five different segments — judicial officers, lawyers, executive personnel, lecturers of law colleges and law students.

The training will help volunteers solve disputes after understanding the needs of the litigants before they knock the doors of the court.

The chairman of the Jharkhand Legal Services Authority and the District Legal Services Authority, M.Y. Eqbal referred to the early religious scriptures, which suggest mediation an effective tool to resolve disputes.

“Mediation has been regarded as one of the oldest and most effective tools in resolving disputes. And in present context, it has a similar role. It is also a cost efficient method to neutralise differences,” the judge said. “It is a speedy mode of dispersion of justice. The poor and needy won’t be harassed and their disputes settled amicably without burning a hole in their pockets. Lawyers and judicial officers should be adept in the skill of mediation which will help curb litigation at its root,” Eqbal added.