1. Project Overview

Legal Aid Society (LAS) is implementing a project on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Sindh, ICT and Gilgit Baltistan. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) instruments are universally accepted time and cost effective support mechanisms to the judicial system, with increased user satisfaction. The Pakistani justice system is besieged with numerous delays resulting in lack of access to justice for all, particularly women and other vulnerable groups. ADR has the potential to provide an assistive mechanism to the courts for appropriate civil cases. There are, however, a number of issues hindering the utilization and spread of ADR in Pakistan including: lack of buy in of ADR from key stakeholders such as judges, bar associations, lawyers etc, lack of effective training of persons currently providing this service and a general unawareness amongst the public and hence low demand for this mechanism.

Keeping in view the importance of ADR, LAS intends to enhance the demand and supply of ADR in ICT by garnering increased levels of support from key stakeholders in the justice sector and within the community boosting the utilization of court annexed ADR and semi-formal procedures of ADR. Therefore, it intends to prepare a highly trained cadre of Mediators and ADR practitioners to support Court Annexed ADR mechanisms to support government to guarantee quality services and client satisfaction. LAS also seeks to enhance the understanding of Judges around the subject matter to boost utilization of referral pathways from courts to mediation /ADR. For this, intense awareness and sensitization training programs need to be designed and deployed for Senior Civil Judges, Civil Judges and Judicial Magistrates across Islamabad.

1. 2.      Consultancy Scope:

The objective of this consultancy is to enhance the understating of the sub-ordinate judiciary in Islamabad particularly senior civil judges, civil judges and judicial magistrates on Alternate Dispute Resolution. Curriculum and agenda for a 3-day training and sensitization program need to be designed in order to acquaint judges with the following:

• Existing legislation that supports ADR in Pakistan (Arbitration Act 1940, Small Claims and Minor Offense Ordinance 2002, etc)
• Existing ADR legislation and framework in Islamabad (Islamabad ADR Act 2017)
• Existing ADR models in other provinces (Sindh)
• Benefits and importance of ADR
• ADR referral methods and procedures – direct referrals, court-annexed mediation etc.

At the end of the training, the batch of judges must be well acquainted with the above and should be willing and able to refer cases that can be resolved through ADR (in accordance with relevant legislation) to ADR forums.

1. 3.      Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following [1]:

•  Deliverable 1

Customized training material will be developed by the consultant for training of judges in Islamabad. This tool kit will be developed by combining core mediation skills training and methodology with sensitization of judges along with an emphasis of referral pathways for mediation/ADR under Alternative Dispute Resolution Act 2019. The material will be designed for a four full day training conducted in a batch of 30 judges from the Islamabad Judiciary. The consultant shall engage with stakeholders for approvals of the material and trainings of judges to be conducted.

• Deliverable 2

30 Senior Civil Judges /Civil Judges and Judicial Magistrate will be trained by the Consultant and sensitized through 3 days training on mediation and ADR. The Consultant is required to lead the training on all three days.

• Deliverable 3

Report of the training by clearly mentioning the feedback received from the participants for way forward and policy advocacy.

1. 4.      Timeline and Payment

Time period for this consultancy will start from 15^th July 2022 to 30^th August 2022. However, the timelines and payment for each output is given in the following table.[2]

Timelines and Payment Schedule

1. 5.      Qualification and Experience:

• Postgraduate qualification in Law from an accredited National/International University
• Minimum of 07 years’ experience specifically in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Proven competency and experience in developing training manuals on ADR for Judges and drafting bills related to ADR
• Good Networking and Linkages with Key Stakeholders in Justice Sector and Public Domain
• Proficiency in English and Urdu

10.   

[1]The deliverables will be approved by LAS and the proposed deadline and schedule of payment is provided in this document.

[2] The payment will be made on output achievement basis.

Apply By:

• Applicants are requested to submit digital and physical copies of the following by 5^th July 2022:
  • Narrative and Financial Proposal
  • Sample agenda for the 3 day training
  • Salient features of the ADR training curriculum
  • Resume and past work experience
  • Academic and professional qualification certificates particularly pertaining to Law and ADR

Legal Aid Society

Head Office: Finance & Trade Center (FTC)

Block C, First Floor, Shahrah-i-Faisal

Karachi, Pakistan

Tel:                 021 – 35634112 – 34

Email:            [email protected].pk

Website:      www.las.org.pk