Law Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurates new J&K International Arbitration Centre at Srinagar

The Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the new premises of the Jammu & Kashmir International Arbitration Centre (JKIAC) at Srinagar on Thursday..The Centre was inaugurated at the Old Sadder Court Complex at Lal Chowk in Srinagar in the presence of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal, judges of the High Court and members of the arbitration committee. Rijiju complemented the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for establishing an institution of contemporary importance and underlined the importance of arbitration in commercial transactions, especially international ones in view of the rising economy of the country."Arbitration is a very important tool for improvement in ease of doing business. Arbitration and mediation can provide better quality justice because the courts are already overburdened with cases," he said. He also appreciated the judicial fraternity for making tireless efforts in the dispensation of justice and assured that the Union government would provide all possible help, and make all resources available to the judiciary in the UT of J&K to improve infrastructure as well as manpower..Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal in his address touched upon the importance of alternate dispute resolution mechanism including arbitration in tackling the rising litigation in the country. He underscored the need of such institutions to ensure speedy and accessible justice not only to the citizens of the country but also the corporate world..Rajeev Gupta, In-charge Coordinator of the JKIAC gave an overview of the structure and hierarchy of the JKIAC and highlighted its pattern of governance and administration..Justice Sindhu Sharma, Chairperson of JKIAC, in her brief address tracked the history of arbitration in India and emphasised that the country needs to have arbitrators not only for arbitration centers but also at domestic and community levels to sort out the disputes arising there. .The Law Minister also inaugurated the Mega Legal Services Camp at Khanmoh in Srinagar to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. BR Ambedkar..The Lieutenant-Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, had earlier inaugurated the first International Arbitration Centre at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Center, Srinagar in the presence of Justice Gita Mittal, former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice.