KARACHI, 9 February 2026 – The Sindh Judicial Academy (SJA), in a landmark collaboration with the International Centre for Appropriate Dispute Resolution and Prevention (ICADRP), successfully conducted a comprehensive five-day Accredited Mediation Training Programme commencing on 9th February 2026. The intensive 40-hour programme is designed exclusively for Senior Civil Judges, Additional District & Sessions Judges, and in-house counsels from leading corporate organisations in the private sector.
This prestigious training is conducted by a distinguished international faculty of ADR experts. The lead trainers include Mr. Mohammad Sohaib, a senior corporate lawyer and accredited ADR trainer; Dr. Nudrat E. Paracha, an internationally recognised mediator and arbitrator; Ms. Saima Amin Khawaja, a King’s College London-trained lawyer, accredited mediator, and judicial educator; Mr. James MacPherson, a globally recognised ADR pioneer; and Hon. Dr. Sherif Elnagahy, a senior Appellate Judge from Egypt and a UN-affiliated mediator with extensive expertise in judicial mediation.
This initiative marks a significant step by the judiciary and the corporate sector towards institutionalising Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in Pakistan. It aligns with the Government of Pakistan’s and the Judiciary’s vision to enhance the efficiency of the justice system, reduce case backlogs, and promote a culture of conciliation outside traditional litigation, thereby fostering a more investment-friendly environment.
The ICADRP-accredited curriculum provide participants with a robust theoretical foundation and practical skills. Key modules include the core concepts of mediation, the pivotal role of referral judges, the detailed phases of the mediation process, and critical ethical guidelines. The training heavily emphasises experiential learning through live role-play simulations, video demonstrations, and interactive sessions focusing on the “Do’s and Don’ts” for judges within the mediation framework.
The participation of senior members of the judiciary alongside corporate legal counsels facilitates a unique dialogue between the public judiciary and private sector stakeholders. This synergy is expected to streamline commercial dispute resolution, ease pressure on courts, and promote swift, cost-effective, and mutually agreeable settlements.
Sindh Judicial Academy and ICADRP’s proactive initiative is a bolster for better practices in judicial and legal frameworks. Such programmes, led by world-class experts, are instrumental in building the capacity of key legal actors, directly contributing to the overarching goal of judicial reform and economic stability in Pakistan. The Government remains committed to supporting endeavours that modernise legal infrastructure and promote access to justice for all citizens
