In a bid to showcase their services, 14 accredited mediators met in Suva yesterday for a one day forum.

The forum provided a platform for the mediators to come together to see how to make their services available to members of the public.

Chief Justice Anthony Gates reminded the 14 mediators of the need to provide awareness on websites and brochures and other means for people to know of the mediation services.

George Lim Teong Jin of the Singapore Mediation Centre said the 14 mediators had been trained and assessed.

“Mediation is a form of access to justice. People who do not have a lot of resources want to avail themselves for this way to resolve disputes,” Mr Jin said.

“Mediation helps people to preserve relationships. Fiji is such a small place. Everybody knows everyone. We are trying to encourage a shift in culture on how people think of resolving disputes rather than fighting it.”

He said there were also plans to have more mediators in the country.

Edited by Maikeli Seru

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