This forms part of the Second Term ADR Week activities being held in the Ashanti Regional capital on the theme “Building the Pillars of
Justice Delivery through Commercial Justice ADR”.
Speaking at the workshop, a Chief ADR Officer of the Judicial Service, Ms. Christiana Puorideme, emphasized the party-driven, interest-based
and free nature of the CCADR and urged participants to uphold and promote it in their respective courts, to enhance the overall experience of
court users who opt for it.
Ms. Christiana Puorideme, Chief ADR Officer in charge of Programmes, ADR Department,
Judicial Service, addressing participants at the workshop
“The mediation process is party-driven, which means parties have significant control. They can voluntarily participate or withdraw at any point
in the process. They can also decide which mediator to choose to handle their case for them. The mediation process is also interest-based.
It is the interests of parties that matter. Do not interfere in the mediation process. The process is also free. Beyond filing fees, do not charge
money at any stage of the process. Do not charge any money for certifying documents” she told participants.
Ms. Puorideme also encouraged participants to be guided by the vision, mission and core values of the Judicial Service in the discharge of their duties.
“As Registrars, you are the first port of call to anyone who comes to court. How you manage yourselves, your courts and the people who come to you
will determine whether or not they will be receptive to the CCADR. In view of that, be guided by the vision, mission and core values of the Service”, she said.
She further entreated them to focus on their core mandates as Registrars or Court Clerks.
“CCADR is Judge-led not Registrar or Court Clerk-led. It is only Judges who have the right to refer cases to ADR. In view of this, you cannot refer cases
straight from your offices to ADR, even in instances where a party requests for it in open court. Registrars are also not mediators. It is only accredited
mediators whom the Service has engaged who have the right to mediate on cases. Kindly concentrate on your core functions as registrars and court
clerks and let mediators do their jobs for which we have given them appointment letters”, she said.
Ms. Christiana Puorideme, Chief ADR Officer in charge of Programmes,
demonstrating how to complete Returns Forms
A highlight of the workshop was practical training of participants on the efficient handling and management of issues, documents, Statistics
and Returns, all aimed at enhancing the credibility of the overall Court Connected ADR processes.
The workshop saw about One Hundred and Sixty (160) Registrars and Court Clerks from the District, Circuit and High Courts in the Ashanti region,
in attendance.
A Registrar of the High Court making a contribution
Also present were Her Ladyship Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal with oversight responsibility for ADR,
His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Lodoh, a Justice of the High Court and President of the Commercial Court, as well as some staff from the
ADR Office in Kumasi.
L-R: Her Ladyship Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah and
His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Lodoh at the workshop.