ADR TAKES CENTRE STAGE AS STAKEHOLDERS CONVENE TO FAST-TRACK COMMERCIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN LAGOS
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The quest for a more efficient, inclusive, and business-friendly justice system took the spotlight as legal luminaries, government officials, and private sector stakeholders gathered for the 2nd Annual Multi-Door Courthouses and ADR Stakeholders Summit in Lagos.
With the theme: “Fast-Tracking the Settlement of Commercial Disputes Through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR),” the summit speaks to the determination of relevant stakeholders in promoting ADR as a sustainable path to timely and cost-effective justice delivery.
Delivering the goodwill message of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat K. M. O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, highlighted the transformative impact of ADR in Nigeria’s evolving legal landscape.
He conveyed the Chief Justice’s emphasis on mediation and arbitration as vital mechanisms that provide quicker and more affordable alternatives to litigation, particularly for commercial disputes.
The Chief Justice urged stakeholders to strengthen and promote ADR as a viable solution to ease the burden on conventional courts and enhance access to justice for citizens and businesses alike.
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, emphasised the crucial role of dispute resolution efficiency in sustaining Lagos’s status as Nigeria’s economic hub.
He noted that in an era where “time is money,” businesses cannot afford to be ensnared in lengthy legal battles. “Commercial activities are the pivot of economic development, and speed, efficiency, and trust are the lifeblood of modern commerce,” he said.
The Governor reaffirmed that Lagos, being the first state in Nigeria to establish the Multi-Door Courthouse model, remains the pacesetter in advancing ADR mechanisms.
He pledged continued government support to strengthen the ADR framework, fund capacity development and encourage the inclusion of ADR clauses in commercial contracts.
The representative of the Governor also unveiled the Mobile ADR Clinic, a pioneering initiative designed to take justice services directly to communities, especially in rural and underserved areas. She was joined by the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, Hon. Justice Jumoke O. Pedro and other dignitaries at the Mobile ADR Clinic unveiling.
In her remarks , Hon. Justice Jumoke O. Pedro, explained that the innovation would reduce litigation costs and expand access to justice through mediation and other ADR channels.
According to her, the summit reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to leading judicial innovation and ensuring that justice in the state remains accessible, efficient, and attuned to the needs of a modern economy.
The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, in her keynote address, underscored the growing relevance of ADR in resolving workplace disputes effectively and amicably.
Represented at the event by Hon. Justice Anthonia Ubaka, the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, highlighted benefits such as cost reduction, faster resolution, and preservation of relationships, stressing the need for continued efforts to reinforce the justice system’s support for ADR.
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