Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: Under the guidance of Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief of the J&K Judicial Academy), Tashi Rabstan, alongside the Chairperson and members of the Governing Committee for the J&K Judicial Academy, a one-day workshop on “The Leadership Role of Judges; Court Management; The Role of Judges in Referring Cases for Mediation, etc.” was organized for Civil Judges (Senior and Junior Division) from the Jammu province.
The workshop commenced with an inaugural session led by Justice Rahul Bharti, Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, who also acted as a resource person for the initial session. Bala Jyoti, Former District & Session Judge and fellow resource person, was also part of the event.
During the first technical session, Justice Rahul Bharti detailed the challenges faced by the judiciary in today’s complex legal environment, characterized by a rising number of cases, technological advancements, and increasingly intricate legal matters. He emphasized that effective leadership within the judiciary goes beyond simply presiding over cases; it involves ensuring efficient court administration, instilling confidence in the judicial process, and promoting an environment where justice is both accessible and timely.
Justice Bharti described case management as ensuring that every case receives the necessary attention in court. He encouraged participants to adopt the mindset of “Know Your Case, Know Your Court” (KYC), highlighting the demanding nature of district judiciary work and the pivotal leadership role played by judges within their courts.
The second technical session was led by Bala Jyoti, who discussed the role of judges in the referral of cases for mediation. She portrayed mediation as a transformative alternative for resolving disputes amicably, noting that it reduces the burden on courts and empowers parties to arrive at mutually agreeable solutions. Jyoti underscored the essential elements of mediation, including drafting effective settlement and referral orders, while also addressing challenges and exploring strategies to enhance its effectiveness. The session included three role-play scenarios, in which participants engaged actively to learn mediation techniques.
Sonia Gupta, Director of the J&K Judicial Academy, facilitated the day-long workshop and delivered the vote of thanks.
All sessions were interactive, with participants actively contributing their experiences and concerns, leading to fruitful discussions on various topics. They raised numerous queries, which the resource persons addressed satisfactorily.
