The Nigerian Chambers of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre (NCC-DRC) inaugurated its settlement week committee to support efforts by the justice sector to improve access to justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution.
The settlement week is a week set aside by the NCC-DRC to help the courts to clear backlog of cases through referrals to the NCC-DRC for possible resolution.
The centre will also welcome cases from law firms, business organizations and the public that wish to refer their cases to the centre and have met the criteria for the resolution during the settlement week.
The registrar-general, NCC-DRC, Aisha Abdullahi, who inaugurated the committee on behalf of the chairman of the centre, Chief Emeka Obegolu stated that working together as a team would enhance the efficient implementation of the committee’s mandate.
“The settlement week is aimed at encouraging early settlement of cases pending in the courts and in so doing pave the way for cost-effective justice and speedier dispute resolutions for the disputants” she said.
The registrar-general, added the settlement week would be a sponsored programme and organized pro-bono by the NCC-DRC.
The registrar-general further stated “we felt that as stakeholders within the justice sector, it will be important to not just plan, but work together as a team on this project than work separately. We will together efficiently contribute to better the justice system in Nigeria. We will also be available, should parties require support in implementation of whatever is agreed upon.”
Members of the committee comprising representatives from Federal High Court Mediation Centre, AELEX law firm, Association of Housing Corporation of Nigeria (AHCN), Abuja Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators United Kingdom (CIArb), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICARB) and others welcomed the idea describing it as a good development that would provide a way forward in the justice system.
The committee members also urged that enforcement which has been a problem should be looked at to speed up justice process.
The settlement week is slated to hold from November 15 – 19, 2021 with various session depending on number and nature of cases.
