The Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has said the Judiciary has elevated Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) from being viewed as an alternative mechanism to becoming a policy imperative and strategic tool for delivering modern, responsive and people-centred justice.
Lady Justice Abodo made the remarks while officially launching the Mediation Settlement Fortnight at the Commercial Division of the High Court, an initiative focused on banking, loan and credit-related disputes aimed at accelerating the resolution of commercial cases through court-annexed mediation while reducing the growing case backlog within the Division.
The Fortnight runs from May 18 to May 29, 2026.
Speaking during the opening, Lady Justice Abodo described the initiative as timely and significant, noting that unresolved commercial disputes have far-reaching economic and social consequences beyond the immediate litigants.
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"For too long, our commercial courts have witnessed a steady rise in the volume and complexity of disputes, particularly those emanating from the banking and financial sector," she said.
She observed that prolonged litigation locks up vital capital that would otherwise support economic growth, strains business relationships, imposes financial and emotional burdens on both borrowers and lenders, and ultimately erodes public confidence in both the financial system and the administration of justice.
Lady Justice Abodo further emphasized that disputes subjected to prolonged litigation often leave parties financially exhausted and dissatisfied, with final court decisions sometimes arriving too late to salvage the underlying commercial interests.
"This is why the Judiciary has elevated Alternative Dispute Resolution from being viewed as an alternative mechanism to becoming a policy imperative and strategic tool for delivering modern, responsive and people-centred justice," she said.
Lady Justice Abodo explained that the Settlement Fortnight is anchored in the newly introduced Court-Annexed Mediation Rules, 2026, which establish a structured 60-day mandatory timeline for mediation from the date of referral.
During the launch, she also presented copies of the new Rules to Judges of the Commercial Division, underscoring the Judiciary's commitment to strengthening and institutionalizing Alternative Dispute Resolution within the courts.
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Lady Justice Abodo noted that under the new framework, the Judiciary now remunerates accredited court-annexed mediators, thereby removing financial barriers that previously hindered parties from fully embracing mediation.
She said any settlement reached through the mediation process becomes immediately enforceable as a court order, offering parties the certainty and finality they seek.
Lady Justice Abodo also highlighted the importance of recent capacity-building engagements organized for judicial officers on ADR and commercial dispute resolution, particularly in understanding the operations of the banking and financial sector.
"As judicial officers, this knowledge equips us to handle cases with a deeper appreciation of their wider economic implications while continuing to uphold the rule of law, protect depositors and safeguard financial stability," she said.
Addressing members of the Bar and representatives from the banking sector who attended the opening, Lady Justice Abodo urged legal practitioners to embrace their evolving role as problem-solvers rather than solely aggressive litigators.
"The role of the great advocate in the 21st century is no longer only the ability to litigate aggressively, but the wisdom and skill to guide clients towards timely, cost-effective and commercially sensible solutions through ADR," she said.
Lady Justice Abodo also called upon judicial officers to provide leadership during the fortnight by proactively identifying cases suitable for mediation and encouraging parties to participate in good faith.
According to the Head of the Commercial Division, Lady Justice Anna Mugenyi Bitature, the Division has lined up more than 320 cases for mediation during the Settlement Fortnight.
