IBA fraternity attends Comprehensive Mediation Accreditation Training in Singapore

January 22-30, 2024: Pakistan's clogged court system, with lengthy case resolutions, has found a potential remedy in mediation. This swift and more accessible alternative could reduce the backlog and improve justice delivery. Expanding this approach, recently IBA delegates and senior officials from Pakistan attended a 'Mediation Skills Assessment & Accreditation' training program at the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC).

Organized with the support of the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), this immersive training initiative aimed to equip participants with advanced mediation techniques while fostering international collaboration in dispute resolution.

It brought together a diverse group of participants, including senior judges from Lahore and Islamabad High Court, lawyers, judiciary members, PSX and SECP representatives, in-house counsels, independent lawyers, academics and members from IBA and IBA-CEE.

The program featured guest speakers such as the Chairman and CEO of SIMC serving as the trainers. Distinguished figures, including Justice Mian Gul Aurangzeb from Islamabad High Court and Justice Jawad Hassan from Lahore High Court, also attended the program.

In addition to the training, the delegation engaged in key stakeholder meetings, fostering connections with the Pakistani business and corporate community, representatives from SIMC and CLDP and notable Singaporean personalities, including Tommy Koh, Minister of Law; and Lie Ling, Dean School of Law and ED Center for Climate Law, National University of Singapore (NUS). The delegates also visited the Center for Executive Education (CEE) at NUS and met Director CEE, Helen Chai.

The visit encompassed enriching social engagements, including a dinner hosted by High Commissioner, Ms. Rukhsana Afzal and Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Salman Mahmood, which provided a platform for dialogue and networking among leading Pakistani businessmen and corporate professionals.

During these interactions, all parties pledged their support for IBA's initiatives to establish mediation as Pakistan's preferred dispute resolution model. The presence of the High Commissioner at the certificate distribution ceremony underscored the significance of the partnership between Pakistan and Singapore in advancing mediation laws and infrastructure. It symbolized a mutual commitment to fostering a culture of mediation and enhancing access to justice.

This training in Singapore served as a pivotal platform for empowering Pakistani professionals with advanced mediation expertise and fostering meaningful collaborations in the realm of dispute resolution.