Zambian President Hichilema Strengthens Legal Framework with ADR Implementation

President Hichilema Pushes for ADR Mechanism to Resolve Zambia’s Court Case Backlog

In a bid to streamline Zambia’s judicial process and reduce the ever-growing backlog of court cases, President Hakainde Hichilema has directed Chief Justice Mumba Malila to fully implement the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism. Speaking in Lusaka on Monday, during a meeting with Chief Justice Malila and Chief Justice of Uganda Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, President Hichilema emphasized the importance of the ADR system in ensuring quicker, more efficient resolution of disputes.

President Hichilema pointed out that Zambia already has laws in place to support ADR, a method that empowers citizens by allowing them to resolve conflicts amicably, without the prolonged process of litigation. He specifically cited the success of ADR in the mining industry, where major disputes, such as those involving Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and First Quantum Minerals (FQM), have been settled outside of the courtroom, avoiding years of legal battles.

“The backlog of cases in our courts is putting tremendous pressure on our judges, who are tasked with delivering timely judgments. We have had cases that have lingered for as long as 20 years, with judgments taking far too long to be delivered,” President Hichilema remarked, underlining the urgent need for reform.

He further called on the judiciary to expedite case resolutions, with a target of disposing of all cases within five months. The integration of ADR into this process is expected to significantly alleviate the burden on the courts, especially in high-volume areas like civil and mining disputes.

Solicitor General Marshal Muchende also highlighted the scale of the challenge, revealing that the Lusaka Magistrate Court is currently handling around 10,000 cases, with only 26 magistrates to manage this load. “The introduction of the ADR mechanism will be a game-changer in addressing this backlog,” Muchende said, stressing the potential for ADR to ease the strain on the justice system.

Justice Owiny-Dollo, who was visiting Zambia as part of the ADR advocacy efforts, endorsed the move, noting that other African nations, including Zambia, have a unique opportunity to adopt ADR widely and help reduce congestion in courtrooms. “ADR is key in resolving disputes quickly and efficiently, providing access to justice for many who might otherwise be left waiting for years for their cases to be heard,” he said.

In addition, Chief Justice Malila shared that the theme of the upcoming High Court Session would focus on “Exploring and Employing ADR,” signaling the judiciary’s commitment to integrating alternative dispute resolution methods into the legal framework.

“Globally, there is a shift towards embracing ADR as a tool for resolving civil and even some criminal matters. This is a timely intervention, and we are glad to have an external advocate like Justice Owiny-Dollo to bring fresh perspectives to our judicial system,” Malila remarked.

As Zambia moves forward with the full implementation of ADR, there is hope that this strategy will not only address the immediate issue of the case backlog but also enhance the overall efficiency, accessibility, and fairness of the country’s judicial process.

Keywords: Zambia, President Hichilema, Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, Chief Justice Mumba Malila, court backlog, legal reforms, Zambia news, Zambia justice system, mining disputes, court case delays, African judicial systems, Justice Owiny-Dollo, judicial efficiency, Lusaka Magistrate Court, Zambia judicial reform, ADR implementation.