Mumbai: The government has finalised the site for a new building for the Bombay High Court, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday.
Mr. Fadnavis was speaking at the inauguration of an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) centre and a crèche for children of lawyers and court staff in south Mumbai.
Others present at the event included Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, Justice Justice A.K. Sikri of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Manjula Chellur, Justice V.K. Tahilramani, Justice Naresh Patil, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni and many retired judges.
Talking about the importance of dispute resolution, CJI Misra said, “Everybody must believe in the culture of settlement, which was advocated even by Mahatma Gandhi.”
He said arbitration has to be cost effective, speedy and impartial. “There must be absolute disclosure as mandated in law. The arbitrator or the mediator should show good attitude, sincerity and great respect for the parties concerned,” CJI Misra said. He said an alternative dispute system must be empowered to deal with the pendency of cases, and that lawyers should boost arbitration.
Mr. Fadnavis said the ADR centre will benefit the common man. “While getting justice is not just a Constitutional right, but also a fundamental right of the citizens, getting it on time is equally important,” the Chief Minister said.
Daycare facility
The Bombay High Court is the second court after the Kerala High Court to get a crèche. Spread over approximately 1,000 sq.ft., the facility has the capacity to accommodate some 50 children. Chief Justice Chellur said the crèche would be extremely helpful to lawyers, both men and women, who spend much of their time in the High Court.
Rajiv Chavan, president of the Advocates Association of Western India, who was instrumental in setting up the crèche, said, “Our legal and judicial system did not have any provision for daycare centres or any means of childcare, but now we are finally providing this facility.”