Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has signed the Multi-door Courthouse bill into law to promote easier access to justice in line with global trends in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Governor Akeredolu signed the bill into law yesterday at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure.
The governor encouraged the people of the state to explore the alternative dispute resolution that the multi-door courthouse provides.
He explained that the multi-door courthouse would further boost the administration of justice in the state and allow litigants to settle matters without going through the conventional court process which, in most cases, creates enmity and takes a longer time to resolve.
Akeredolu disclosed that the law would assist the legal process which had become cumbersome in the country.
The governor particularly charged the judges and other stakeholders in charge of the administration of justice to always encourage litigants to make use of out-of-court settlements and explore alternative dispute resolution for the peace and progress of the society.
He observed that it might be difficult for parties involved in cases to become friends again after taking their cases to the conventional courts for adjudication, adding that the newly signed Multi-door Courthouse Law would ensure peace in society. His words: “Encourage people to explore alternative dispute resolution. Please, take advantage of this alternative dispute resolution. Look at ways of settling matters for them. Make the environment convivial. Don’t let them see themselves as adversaries.”
Earlier, while presenting the bill to the governor for assent, the speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Samuel Aderoboye, said it would ease the tension and the burden of judges and lawyers as well as the state in resolving some cases outside the conventional courtroom.
