A high power delegation from Chinese High Court Monday held discussion with their Liberian counterparts on what could be possible ways Chinese High Court can work with Liberia in improving the rule of law system in the post war nation.
The Chinese delegation, which arrived in the country over the weekend, is currently in Liberia as guests of the Liberian judiciary, which is headed by the country's Supreme Court Justice.
During Monday's discussion, the Chinese delegation and their Liberian counterparts, discussed on the need to improve the rule of law system in Liberia by adopting the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
The Vice President of the Supreme People's Court of China Su Zelin, who is heading the Chinese delegation, presided over the discussion on behalf of his delegation, while the Chief Justice of Liberia Justice Johnnie N. Lewis, assisted by the four Associate Justices of the Liberian Supreme Court, led the Liberian side in the talks.
Speaking during the meeting, Su challenged the judiciary in Liberia to absorb experiences of other judiciaries, such as his country.
Justice Su said the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which is a World Bank and Chinese Judiciary supported program aimed to serve as an alternative measure through which mediation is used to resolve cases between party litigants as a way of reducing the number of cases on the dockets of lower courts.
"To establish ADR which is very meaningful to your country, the society and the community, we are willing to share our cross county experiences because we have more to learn and share ourselves," he concluded.
For his part, the Chief Justice of Liberia, who led the Chinese delegation on a tour of the Liberian Temple of Justice building, appealed to the Supreme People's Court of China to work with the Liberian judiciary so as to improve the rule of law system in Liberia.
Also, forming part of the discussion Monday was Associate Justice Jones Dotse of Ghana who presented a paper on his country experience on the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Justice Dotse described the ADR initiative as a new program that is being used to enhance the justice system of a nation by making the system more responsive by the provisions of additional resources and strategies.
He reiterated that the program is a method used to resolving disputes without resort to normal mitigation like negotiation, mini-trial, conferences, settlement conferences, mediation and any neutral evaluation among others.
He said that the ADR has advantages as well as disadvantages noting that the ADR will only be encouraged in cases of wrongful dismissal, unfair practices, family and matrimonial issues.
Meanwhile, the delegation would be expected to meet with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Tuesday for further discussion on the way forward to strengthen the Liberian judiciary.
(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2009)
