Govt must review dispute resolution process

 THE introduction of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Court or mediation into our Judiciary system of this country is not a new concept but its implementation in this county is gaining momentum.

I appreciate the efforts of those who have contributed to the exercise to date and I am sure that a lot of efforts and sacrifices are being put in by judges, mediators and those people working behind the scenes.

While the process has produced many good results, it is also important to point out some areas of concern.

One of these is that some people are using the process I think to ambush, side step or perhaps unjustly enrich them.

Let me give an example:  Landowners of oil and gas are now frequenting the National and Supreme Courts of PNG and we read about that every day in the papers and see in the news.  

As far as I can understand, at this stage, the State has not identified landowners of these oil and gas fields in the highlands.  But the landowners are going to the National Court and a good number of the cases are pending ADR or mediation.

I think the Court does not have the power in the first place to refer matter to ADR on any matter where traditional landownership is in issue.

Citizen Via email