The Centre of Construction Law & Dispute Resolution at King’s College London held a seminar on “The Role of ADR as Engine of Judicial Reform in Pakistan”. The aim of the seminar was to explore the current ADR landscape in Pakistan and how a wider and better use of ADR can contribute to the efficiency, effectiveness and fairness of the Pakistani legal system, also from an international perspective.

The event was chaired by Professor Renato Nazzini, Director of the Centre and was attended by the Honourable Mr. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, the Honourable Mr. Justice Jawad Hassan, Sir David Waksman DBE, judge in the English Technology and Construction Courts, and Virginie Colaiuta, partner at LMS Legal in London and a visiting Fellow at the Centre.

The speakers reflected on the need for developing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in lieu of providing state guarantees to foreign investors. It was proposed that whereas Pakistan is in dire need of contract enforcement mechanisms, the best course of action would be to introduce not only legislative reform for ADR but also judicial reform with the establishment of commercial dispute resolution courts with independent panel of judges to implement international as well as domestic reformed law.

The event included a spirited Q&A session amongst the attendees.