Nghe An province's mediation and dialogue centers have mediated 1,723 disputes and complaints.

Attending the conference were comrades Nguyen Van Thong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Steering Committee for the pilot work of innovation, strengthening mediation and dialogue in Nghe An province; Cao Thi Hien - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; representatives of the provincial Fatherland Front; provincial departments, branches and sectors; Chief Justices of the People's Courts of districts with mediation centers.

Delegates attending the conference. Photo: Khanh Ly

After the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform and the Supreme People's Court's Plan on organizing the expansion of the pilot innovation, strengthening mediation and dialogue at the People's Courts of 16 provinces, including Nghe An. On November 8, 2018, the Standing Committee of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee issued Decision No. 2420-QD/TU to establish the Provincial Steering Committee on pilot mediation and dialogue, headed by Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. Immediately after that, 6 Mediation and Dialogue Centers located at the Provincial People's Court and the districts of Nghi Loc, Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, and Do Luong were established and put into operation.

Comrade Ho Dinh Trung - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Chief Justice of the Provincial People's Court delivered the opening speech at the conference. Photo: Khanh Ly

Dispute resolution, reducing pressure on increasing court cases

After more than 9 months of implementation, with a spirit of effort and high determination, the pilot implementation has been carried out seriously, methodically, synchronously and promptly. The Mediation Centers of Nghe An province have handled a relatively large number of cases, about 3,001 applications, including many very complicated property disputes and inheritance disputes. The results of the mediation work have successfully mediated 1,723 disputes, reducing the pressure of increasing cases at the Court by the self-determination mechanism of the parties through the quick mediation procedure. In addition, many divorce cases have been successfully mediated, restoring the happiness of many couples.(Successfully reconciled and reunited 370/2,017 couples who applied for divorce, a rate of 18.3%).

The results of mediation and dialogue have brought about positive social effects, namely: Resolving disputes quickly and sustainably; saving a lot of time and costs for conducting and participating in litigation for both State agencies and parties, resolving conflicts, mending relationships, eliminating the risk of long-term hatred, and ensuring sustainable solidarity among the people.

A mediation session at the Mediation and Dialogue Center of the Provincial People's Court. Photo courtesy

From the practical activities of mediation and dialogue centers at the People's Court of Nghe An province, it can be seen that pre-trial mediation and dialogue are of great significance. Therefore, the development and promulgation of the Mediation Law is necessary.

There are still many difficulties and problems

However, because this is a new pilot activity, the skills and experience in mediation and dialogue of some mediators and dialoguers are still limited, the rate of successful mediation for civil and commercial disputes is not high. In a few cases, the mediation time still exceeds the prescribed time limit of 20 - 30 days according to Instruction No. 310/TANDTC-PC dated October 11, 2018 of the Supreme People's Court.

Delegates visit the dialogue mediation office at Nghe An Provincial People's Court. Photo: Document

In some disputes, the plaintiff and defendant’s addresses are not clearly and specifically stated in the petition, and the parties’ phone numbers are not included in the petition. Therefore, the mediator must spend more time to obtain the above information before inviting the parties to conduct mediation. In some cases, the lawyer’s influence on the parties is such that they do not require mediation, so the parties do not cooperate and do not request mediation.

At the conference, representatives of the leaders of the Mediation and Dialogue Centers and mediators discussed and exchanged experiences, proposed solutions and recommendations to make mediation work more convenient and effective.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee requested that units need to strengthen information and communication work on mediation and dialogue so that people and businesses can better understand and support this method of dispute resolution. Photo: Khanh Ly

Speaking at the conference, Comrade Nguyen Van Thong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee acknowledged and highly appreciated the results achieved by the Mediation and Dialogue Centers at the People's Courts at 2 levels in the province as well as the role of advising, directing, directly guiding and supervising the activities of the Provincial People's Court; the coordination of localities, sectors, organizations and unions in the political system in the work of mediation and dialogue. He requested that in the coming time, units need to strengthen information and communication work on mediation and dialogue so that people and businesses can better understand and support this method of dispute resolution.

Awarding Certificates of Merit to individuals with outstanding achievements. Photo: Khanh Ly

At the same time, strengthen professional training, skills in mediation and dialogue and organize training for mediators and dialoguers; promote advantages, overcome limitations to increase the number of successful mediation and dialogue cases, especially in resolving administrative complaints; contribute to healing rifts in social relationships, reduce the number of cases that must be brought to trial by the People's Court at 2 levels.

Chief Justice of the Provincial People's Court awarded Certificates of Merit to collectives with outstanding achievements in the pilot implementation of enhancing mediation and dialogue. Photo: Khanh Ly

On this occasion, 4 groups and 26 individuals were awarded Certificates of Merit by the Chief Justice of the Provincial People's Court for their outstanding achievements in implementing the pilot mediation and dialogue.