The Ministry of Justice (MoJ), through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Department, in collaboration with the Judicial Institute (JI) and Kennedy’s Law Group, has officially launched a two-day arbitration training program at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
The initiative brings together legal practitioners, judicial officers, and ADR professionals for intensive sessions focused on modern arbitration practices, procedural rules, and ethical standards.
In his opening remarks, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, emphasized the importance of ADR as a mechanism for strengthening access to justice, reducing court congestion, and promoting social harmony.
“Arbitration presents a more efficient, peaceful, and inclusive means of resolving disputes outside the traditional courtroom setting,” Minister Tweh stated.
Chief Justice Yamie Q. Gbeisay of the Supreme Court of Liberia reaffirmed the judiciary’s full support for institutionalizing ADR mechanisms, pledging the Court’s commitment to advancing justice delivery and fostering peaceful dispute resolution across the nation.
Senior justice sector actors attending the opening ceremony included the President of the Liberia National Bar Association, Cllr. Borno Varmah; the Solicitor General, Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah; and the Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority, Dorbor Jallah.
Day one of the training features sessions on arbitration theory, drafting and managing arbitration agreements, ethics for arbitrators, and the interaction between ADR and the formal justice system.
Day two will focus on practical case studies, arbitration hearing simulations, and enforcement of arbitral awards — all designed to enhance participants’ hands-on skills in arbitration practice.
The MoJ’s ADR program has long sought to alleviate pressures on court dockets and reduce pre-trial detention through the promotion of out-of-court dispute resolution mechanisms. According to the MoJ website, the ADR program operates through key pillars including mediation, capacity building, communication, and monitoring and evaluation.
This training marks a strategic milestone in embedding ADR, particularly arbitration, within Liberia’s justice system — aligning with ongoing efforts to develop the ADR Act and related policy frameworks.
Minister Tweh encouraged participants to apply the insights gained from the workshop to strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms nationwide, noting that effective ADR contributes to investor confidence and sustainable national development.
Credit: Verity News
