KMC makes judicial services more accessible
During the event, 125 newly appointed mediators were sworn in for the city's ward-level mediation centers.
KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City today launched the book Judicial Committee: A Vision at a ceremony held at the National Assembly Hall.
The event was attended by Senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Sapana Mall Pradhan, Mayor of Kathmandu, Balen Shah, Chair of the Special Court, Tek Narayan Kunwar, Constitutional Expert Kashiraj Dahal, Chair of the Nepal Municipal Association, Bhim Dhungana, and Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu, Sunita Dangol, among other officials.
During the event, 125 newly appointed mediators were sworn in for the city’s ward-level mediation centers.
The city also released a music video promoting mediation and presented audiovisual materials about the Judicial Committee’s operations.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City had organized the first National Judicial Committee Conference on 15th and 16th of Chaitra 2079.
The conference focused on discussions about local dispute resolution, sharing experiences, challenges, and issued the Kathmandu Declaration, which covered issues like the role of judicial committees, legal clarity, and the mediation process.
Senior Supreme Court Justice Pradhan emphasized that effective justice at the local level is crucial and stressed the need to strengthen judicial committees.
Mayor Shah highlighted that the book A Vision serves as a guiding document for the judicial committee. Constitutional Expert Dahal noted that the book would significantly contribute to preserving the lessons of judicial processes. Chairman Kunwar praised the judicial committee’s effective mediation process.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has been making judicial services more accessible and has set a model for other local governments. Deputy Mayor Dangol shared that legal services are being provided to those who cannot afford them, with 52,740 people having benefited from free legal services since the new government took office.
The Mayor’s Court at Kathmandu Metropolitan City handles building construction-related disputes. So far, 33 hearings have been held for 306 disputes, with 174 decisions made.
The Judicial Committee has resolved 608 disputes, including 326 decisions and 141 through mediation.
Out of 132 appeals, 15 have been settled and 13 accepted.
Through its Justice Chautari program, the city is working to resolve local disputes and increase mutual understanding within the community.
The program has already provided legal assistance to 12 residents since its launch on 18th Chaitra 2080.
