The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP) has prepared a draft of Model Practice Directions on Court-Connected Mediation.

The document aims to streamline the resolution of court-filed disputes through mediation, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional litigation.

The draft covers key areas such as identifying cases suitable for mediation, standardizing the referral process, establishing consistent procedures for mediation sessions, and documenting and enforcing settlement agreements reached through mediation.

The NBA-SLP is seeking feedback from legal professionals on the draft to refine these practice directions to better serve the judiciary, legal professionals, and the public. The organization believes that implementing these directions will reduce delays and improve access to justice for all parties involved.

“Given the significance of this document, we would greatly value your input and feedback, which will be instrumental in refining these practice directions,” the NBA-SLP stated in a letter to its members.

The draft has been circulated to NBA-SLP members for review, and the organization has requested that comments be provided by October 4, 2024. Feedback can be sent to the NBA-SLP Secretariat at [email protected].

The NBA-SLP emphasizes the importance of insights from legal professionals in this effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigerian justice system through the use of alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation.