Alternative Dispute Resolution has many benefits serving as a legal substitute for resolving civil disputes. Most courts prefer the proceedings of an ADR as opposed to Litigation. In some countries the option of ADR must be analyzed before attempting to initiate the proceedings of litigation. Most district courts along with appeal courts will oversee the negotiations of an ADR. In some circumstances ADRs do not settle well and in those instances the involvement of the courts will resolve the remaining disputes.ADR methods are those used in resolving a dispute without resorting to using the courts. The fundamental principles of Alternative Dispute Resolutions are Negotiation, Tribunals, Conciliation, Arbitration and Mediation. Many of these approaches include the use of a neutral individual such as a mediator who can assist disputing parties in resolving their disagreements. The use of these methods help in bringing justice to all people concerned especially on civil matters.
My first personal introduction to the profusion of ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) processes was in my 4th year in the university as a clinician while taking Legal Practice Course. I served as a Deputy Law Clinic head for two years. While there, I performed every job, task, and duty associated with the operation of ADR processes especially mediations. One duty involved the settling of disputing students to reach an agreeable term. I was amazed at what the real life experiences were like. They were practical on like we studied, researched or expected.
My two years of full-time practice in law clinic while in the University taught me much about myself, but I realized I was a good settler and I needed a different environment to continue growing. Therefore, in 2012, after I had graduated from law faculty, in the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada I applied for an internship at the National Human Rights Commission while waiting for my law school Program. There, I realized that there are more challenging disputes outside the school environment than one can ever imagine. While in the department of protection and investigation of Human Rights, my duties were handling mostly disputes that concern women and children as well as the violations of their rights. Basically I arbitrated and mediated. These process of settling disputes required direct inputs from the disputing parties in order to resolve the dispute through fact findings and investigations; as such it is the most sensitive part of my work. , I have participated in issues that deal with violation of human rights which includes domestic violence, child abuse, and parental negligence and have also worked on some project individually. I have a good background on the use of ADR and the ability to undertake research independently.
The reason for applying for this program is to build capacity through increased knowledge via workshops of this nature and also to help impact quality knowledge on my clients or colleagues, develop myself and if given the opportunity, contribute my experience towards building peace and stability in my country especially in this trying times that mediators are most wanted.
One of the benefits I seek to achieve is to acquire advanced knowledge for effective professional growth in the areas of arbitration and mediation. Thus, I am ready to become a dynamic participant in this training program, motivated by the zeal to acquire personal and collective experience, a highly evolved work ethic, and a strong education. Please do give my application every favorable consideration.