PUTRAJAYA, Oct 23 — The services of former judges and lawyers are needed to be appointed to conduct the mediation process in the Legal Aid Department (JBG), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
“They have the experience and expertise in law needed to act as intermediaries to assist the disputing parties to reach an agreement without the cases being brought to court,” she said.
Speaking to the press after launching eKlinik Guaman 6G JBG today, Azalina said JBG would also get the services of lawyers and non-governmental organisation (NGO) legal practitioners to act as mediators, subject to cases which need to be handled.
“These appointments are made to strengthen mediation services in promoting the resolution of cases out of court,” she said, adding that appointing mediators was under the purview of the JBG director-general.
Mediation sessions can be conducted not only physically but also online to facilitate the public, as well as reduce transportation costs for the parties involved.
It also ensures communities in rural areas, like Sabah and Sarawak, can access legal aid services.
Azalina added that JBG handles many Syariah cases, leading to the perception that the department focuses primarily on such cases.
As such, she proposed that Syariah cases, especially those involving family disputes, be resolved through mediation sessions, as this would allow JBG to focus on resolving civil and criminal cases.
In her speech, the minister said the eKlinik 6G system has been developed to allow organisations to apply for legal clinics and legal literacy programmes offered by JBG at their chosen location.
The services provided include applications for criminal, civil, syariah, mediation, legal advisory, and legal representation, referred to as “6G.”
— Bernama
