LHC referrers first case for mediation to LCCI
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LAHORE: (APP) The Lahore High Court has referred first-ever business dispute case to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry for mediation.
It is not only a major breakthrough but is also the first example of Judiciary and private sector's partnership in the country.
LCCI President Abdul Basit, Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa and Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan, in a statement here on Thursday, said the business community was excited as concept of Judiciary-Private sector partnership had come true.
The decision of referral of business disputes was taken during the recent visit of Chief Justice Lahore High Court Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
The dispute that has been referred to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is related to a compoundable offence ie an offence under Section 489-F, PPC and both parties are from the business community.
The Order forwarded to the LCCI by the LHC to the LCCI says “Petitioner present in Court is at liberty to move an application to the Chairman Standing Committee, Mediation Center, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry within a period of three days after the receipt of this order and if any such application is moved, the mediator so appointed by the Chairman of LCCI shall do the needful maximum within a period of one month after filing of such on application.
The mediation culture is fast getting its roots in the country with an active support of Chief Justice Lahore High Court who is a pro mediation person.
It would help resolve business disputes in a shortest possible time and reduce burden on the courts that are already burdened of criminal cases.
The LCCI office-bearers said: "We have to utilise all options to make business environment attractive for the business community and promotion of out-of-court settlement culture is one of them". They said that the fundamental purpose of introducing alternate dispute resolution mechanisms was to help local and foreign companies avoid litigation constraints.
They said arbitration and conciliation savesd precious time and money of the business doing people through out-of-court settlement of business dispute through mediation, therefore, businessmen should avail this tool to give boost to their businesses.
