Vincentians are being urged to use mediation as an alternative means to settle disputes outside the court system. This call was made by several speakers at the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) Launch of a Mediation Public Awareness Campaign.
Accordingly, Registrar of the High Court Andrea Young, said mediation brings with it several benefits including empowering parties to determine the outcome of their disputes. Young stated that the first Court Connected Mediation commenced in 2004 and that the ECSC launched Court Connected Mediation is an initiative to provide an informal and user friendly alternative to the resolution of legal disputes. She described Court Connected Mediation as “faster, more cost effective and helps to preserve relationships within our communities.”
In her opening remarks, Her Ladyship the Hon. Justice Gertel Thom, Justice of Appeal and Chairman of the Judicial Education Institute, explained that mediation has been in operation for several years however “it has not been utilised as effectively as the Court had anticipated when it was first introduced.” Justice Thom said twenty-five (25) persons were trained and certified as Mediators bringing the total number of Mediators in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to thirty-seven (37). “For the mediation process to be fully utilised it was necessary for the public to become fully aware of the process – what it really entails. Our communities have long been accustomed to disputes being settled in Courts by Judicial Officers as some persons love to say, ‘I want my day in court – nothing else will suffice’ ”, Justice Thom stated. She hoped more persons will use mediation to settle their differences.
Justice Thom specially commended Dr. Gloria Richards-Johnson, Project Director Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project and John Furlonge, Regional Project Coordinator JURIST Project for their support. She described JURIST Project as one of their main partners in the development of the legal system in the OECS. Justice Thom expressed thanks to the JURIST Project for funding the training of Mediators and for the support they will continue to give going forward to carry out the Public Awareness Campaign.
Director, Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project, Dr. Gloria Richards-Johnson, said she was delighted to see this change and honoured to be a part of the Court Connected Mediation Launch. Dr. Johnson disclosed that the JURIST Project is funded by the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada. Johnson said the Canadian Government has been a longstanding partner in the area of justice reform in the region.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Dr. Godwin Friday, welcomed the ECSC’s initiative to utilise Court Connected Mediators and said that it is timely and needed. This should become more commonly used in our Court system and in our society, Dr. Friday stated. He commended the Court Administration for investing in this Project. He hoped that all Lawyers will embrace mediation and offer this alternative to their clients. She also urged Mediators to be impartial and professional.
Attorney General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Hon. Jaundy Martin, delivered remarks on behalf of Prime Minister and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. Martin stated that mediation is very dear to him as he is a trained Mediator and that he was of the first batch of trained Mediators in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. To implement change from top down is a very challenging process, Martin stated. To this end, he wished the Public Awareness Campaign great success.
He said there are many facilities in the community which can be used to host awareness sessions. The Attorney General disclosed that he has already mentioned to Cabinet that there should be a room allocated in each community centre for mediation purposes. He commended the Chief Justice of the ECSC Hon. Dame Janice Pereira for her wisdom in taking this initiative.
The Mediation Public Awareness Campaign Launch included the distribution of certificates of appointment to new Mediators by Her Ladyship the Hon. Dame Janice Pereira DBE, LL.D, Chief Justice of the East Caribbean Supreme Court. The Launch was held on Thursday, May 9th, 2019 at the NIS conference room.
