Senior Courts to Swear In New Criminal and Civil Mediators

The Senior Courts of Belize will on February 20, swear in a new cohort of court-connected Criminal and Civil mediators, marking another step in strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) within the country’s justice system.  According to a press release from the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (NADRC) of the Office of the Chief Justice, the swearing-in ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the High Court on Treasury Lane in Belize City and will be presided over by Chief Justice Madame Louise Esther Blenman.  The newly appointed mediators have successfully completed the required training and certification and will now serve the Senior Courts of Belize. Their role will be to facilitate the fair, efficient, and confidential resolution of both criminal and civil matters, offering an alternative to lengthy and costly litigation.  Officials say the appointments represent a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to modernize the judiciary and expand access to justice through ADR mechanisms. The NADRC, which operates within the Office of the Chief Justice, continues to promote mediation as a practical tool to reduce court backlogs while ensuring timely and equitable outcomes for litigants.  The Office of the Chief Justice says the expansion of court-connected mediation reflects a broader commitment to judicial reform and the effective administration of justice in Belize.