Supreme Court of Pakistan Inaugurates First Court-Annexed Mediation Centre
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TL;DR
- Supreme Court of Pakistan inaugurates first court-annexed mediation centre.
- Initiative supported by the European Union and UNDP.
- Centre aims to offer efficient, court-supported mediation as an alternative to litigation.
- Memorandum signed for technical and operational support.
Overview
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has launched its first court-annexed mediation centre in Islamabad. Established with assistance from the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the centre aims to provide a structured, court-supported mediation forum as an alternative to litigation. The initiative seeks to improve access to justice, reduce the burden on the judiciary, and promote efficient, amicable dispute resolution.
What Happened
On August 19, 2026, the Supreme Court of Pakistan inaugurated its first court-annexed mediation centre in Islamabad.
The centre was established in cooperation with the European Union and UNDP to provide a structured mediation process within the court system.
The inauguration was attended by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, members of the Supreme Court ADR Committee, representatives of the EU, UNDP, the Ministry of Law and Justice, Federal Board of Revenue, and other legal stakeholders.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Supreme Court and the Legal Aid Society to support the centre through technical and operational assistance.
Context
Court-annexed mediation refers to dispute resolution processes facilitated within the judicial system as an alternative to formal adjudication.
The involvement of international partners like the EU and UNDP highlights ongoing efforts to modernize and reform the justice sector in Pakistan.
Why It Matters
- Establishes a court-supported mediation system in Pakistan's highest court.
- Aims to reduce court backlogs and provide litigants with faster, mutually agreed dispute resolution options.
- Represents broader judicial reform efforts with international collaboration.