[owl-carousel category=” Settlement Week in Nairobi, the Chief Justice David Maraga gazetted Practice Directions to guide the roll out of Court Annexed Mediation to 10 Counties namely; Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Machakos, Garissa, Embu, Kakamega and Kisii.

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The Taskforce that was gazetted to oversee the implementation of Court Annexed Mediation has now began to carry out launch activities in the various counties.

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Currently the Taskforce team is in Nyeri andadvocates, Court Users Committees, mediators, county leaders, media, community leaders and members of the public will be sensitized and engaged on court annexed mediation.

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Registries will be set up to receive mediation matters and all civil matters filed at the courts will be subjected to mandatory screening and if found suitable referred to mediation. It is expected that the implementation of court annexed mediation will increase efficiency at the Judiciary and enhance access to justice.

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The pilot phase that officially came to an end last year has been widely regarded as a success owing to the 55.7 % and 53.8% settlement rate in Family and Commercial Division respectively.

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Mediation has the following specific objectives:

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? Enhance access to Justice for alln? Assist in reduction of backlogn? Ensure speedy resolution of disputesn? Reduce the cost of resolving disputesn? Create an atmosphere of accommodation and tolerance

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? Encourage resolutions suited to parties needsn? Promote voluntary compliance of parties with resolutions  

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? Restore pre-dispute relationships

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? Increase in foreign investment

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