The Fiji Mediation Centre successfully settled 67.5 per cent of the cases it mediated in 2017.

And in the cases that were settled, more than 60 per cent were concluded within one working day.

This was revealed by the Centre’s Chairperson Jenny Seeto yesterday while speaking to business men and women  at a stakeholders meeting, at the suva courts house, she was speaking about the benefits of using mediation services.

According to Ms Seeto, the centre will be visiting different parts of the country in the coming months to create awareness about mediation to people.

The centre was established in 2016 and currently has 42 accredited mediators consisting of judges, masters of the court, magistrates, lawyers, accountants, senior civil servants – directors, academics, managers and executive directors.

The mediators are accredited by the Singapore Mediation Centre.

Ms Seeto said the centre is independent even though it is headed by the Judicial Department in terms of funding.

She said mediation was cheaper compared to arbitration or taking the case to court.

“Mediation is flexible and involves an informal process. Parties resolve their differences through discussion and problem solving,” Ms Seeto said.

“It seeks to achieve win-win solutions acceptable to all parties.”

The centre also encourages parties to undergo mediation as it aims for early resolution which reduces emotional stress.

“Unlike court, which is open to the public, with a few exceptions, parties can agree that the mediation remains completely confidential,” she said.

She mentioned some of the disputes which can be resolved through mediation is banking/financial instruments, construction/contractors, defamation, employment and many more.

The centre is looking to recruit and train more mediators in the near future.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce