CM N Chandrababu Naidu calls for strong ADR ecosystem to ensure speedy justice

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said that speedy justice can be delivered only through the Ease of Justice system, where mediation and arbitration play a central role.

Speaking at the ACIAM–International Mediation Conference in Visakhapatnam, he stressed that justice must be accessible to all through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). “Such a system can deliver results both quickly and effectively,” he said.

Mr. Naidu pointed out that mediation has long been part of Indian tradition. “Lord Krishna acted as a mediator in the Puranas. In earlier times, village elders and community leaders resolved disputes through dialogue and consensus,” he observed.

He described it as an honour for Visakhapatnam to host a global conference on mediation and arbitration. The judiciary, he said, remains “the cornerstone of democracy, safeguarding constitutional rights and the rule of law.” Citizens, he added, continue to trust its fairness, even if justice is sometimes delayed.

Highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s rapid growth, the Chief Minister said the State attracted $100 billion in investments in the past year, with leading companies setting up operations. Faster dispute resolution, he said, is essential to support this growth. He announced that the government would develop a full-fledged ADR ecosystem in Visakhapatnam with new courts, stronger mediation and arbitration systems, and technology-driven measures such as virtual hearings, e-filing, and mobile-based updates.

Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Dheeraj Singh Thakur drew attention to the shortage of judges. “The State has 650 judges, but another 800 are needed to speed up case disposal,” he said.

Justice Thakur also underlined the importance of structured training. “Forty hours of training are required for certification, and mediators must be highly skilled. A system should be in place to assess their competence,” he noted.

On arbitration, he remarked that many retired judges and bureaucrats are entering the field. “There are honest arbitrators and dishonest ones. A special mechanism is needed to address this,” he added.

The conference was also attended by Supreme Court judges Justice Suryakant and Justice P.S. Narasimha, along with several other judges and legal experts.