A total of 24 accredited mediators will be joining the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) track of the judiciary, to mediate over civil disputes that go to court.
The mediators graduated last night in Port Moresby, with International Accredited standards, creating another milestone for the ADR track, which has come far since its inception.
The group comprises of both lawyers and non-lawyers, seven of which are Fully Accredited Mediators (FAMs) and 17 Provisionally Accredited Mediators (PAMs).
The role of mediators in the ADR Track is to settle civil related disputes expeditly, which costs parties less than having the dispute going to trial.
Their role comes into play when judges refer cases for mediation.
Attorney General Davis Steven officiated at the 6th grauation of mediators, saying Alternate Dispute Resolution, which the graduands will be overseeing, has come far since 2010, following its adaptation into the National Court rules in 2008.
Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia said mediation court started under the raintrees at Waigani in 2010 with one judge, and his now flourished to 134 mediators.
They now have facilities in Mendi and Madang also.
"In 2010, we had only one unqualified mediator, Justice (Ambeng) Kandakasi, now in 2017, we have 134, all accredited under the Australian Mediators standards," Sir Salamo said.
He said the case disposition rate is good and the track is making good progress.