KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has enlisted 154 mediators to help resolve local disputes and community-level conflicts through its judicial committee mechanism.
According to KMC Director Basanta Acharya, the mediators have been prepared with the objective of ensuring more effective and qualitative outcomes from the mediation process.
“We expect qualitative results from mediation. The number of mediation sessions conducted is not the real achievement; the actual result lies in the number of disputes successfully resolved,” Acharya said.
He stated that judicial settlement of disputes is one of the major responsibilities of local governments. To support this goal, mediation rooms have been established at ward offices, while women’s networks have also been formed to create a conducive environment for dialogue and reconciliation.
Acharya stressed that mediation should aim to minimize losses and maximize benefits for both parties involved in a dispute. He added that local communities should be regularly sensitized about the benefits of mediation, as disputes are more likely to be resolved peacefully once both parties understand the value of reconciliation.
Mediation process and stages
Under the mediation system, the first step involves efforts to bring disputing parties to a mutual agreement. If mediation is deemed unsuitable or if either party refuses to participate, the case proceeds through other legal processes.
Officials say mediation is most effective when both parties seek mutual benefit, improved relationships, and a peaceful resolution. However, mediation is generally avoided if relations between the parties remain severely strained even after discussions.
The mediation process includes several stages, beginning with the establishment of ground rules and codes of conduct. This is followed by the presentation of the dispute, collection of relevant information, identification of core issues, exploration of possible solutions, and group or private negotiations. The process concludes with either an agreement or disagreement between the parties.
According to KMC, mediation offers benefits such as social justice, protection of mutual interests, improved relationships, and quicker dispute resolution.
The metropolitan city noted that many people are reluctant to seek justice through courts due to lengthy procedures, high costs, and complex legal processes. In such situations, mediation centers can provide a practical and accessible alternative for resolving minor disputes at the local level.
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