The National Centre for Dispute Resolution (NCDR), is an alternative dispute resolution centre that provides state-of-the-art dispute resolution facilities – which include mediation, arbitration and negotiation services for individuals and corporations.
Formerly known as Karachi Centre for Dispute Resolution (KCDR), it was established in the February 2007 with the financial assistance of International Finance Corporation (IFC) – a World Bank Group. It was established by the former Chief Justice of Pakistan, (late) Justice (Retd.) Saiduzzaman Siddiqui.
As Pakistan’s first official mediation centre, it came into existence with the approval of the Sindh High Court, due to the urgent need to reduce the massive backlog of litigation cases. The vision was to reduce the burden on the judiciary so that justice can be effectively delivered to the common person We operate with the belief that disputes can be effectively resolved in a way that is time-efficient, cost-effective and strictly confidential way while also keeping relationships intact.
Strategically headquartered in Karachi, NCDR also has its offices located in Islamabad and Lahore. A High Court recognized mediation centre of more than fifteen (15) years, we have on our Panel ADR practitioners who are nationally and internationally accredited Mediators and Arbitrators, with several years’ worth of experience in multiple thematic areas, including (but not limited to) family disputes, commercial disputes, disputes between landlord and tenant, contractual disputes, labour disputes etc. You can read more about our dispute resolution services here.
The development of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a major stepping stone towards encouraging communal harmony by providing an environment that is conducive to resolving disputes, inadvertently improving the health of the economy. NCDR follows international standards of mediation. Our rules of governance and procedure(s) ensure that the highest standard of dispute resolution services are provided to parties desirable of effective resolution outside of court. The Centre operates within the Federal and Provincial ADR laws in Pakistan and works with the courts to ensure the enforceability of all mediation settlements made and arbitration awards awarded.
NCDR’s rules and code of ethics governing our mediation proceedings can be read in detail here.
Unlike litigation, the process of mediation is a fast and highly efficient method of resolving disputes. With its team of mediators, NCDR has carried out a number of mediations in different cities throughout Pakistan. Our success rate is about 83%.
In one of the districts of interior Sindh, NCDR has consistently offered pro-bono mediation services in cases involving women litigants with a success rate of 82%. The Centre has, ’til date, been able to release more than US$38.6 million by resolving disputes by way of mediation.
NCDR conducts frequent training programs as part of its outreach strategy in order to encourage the widespread adoption of the mechanism of alternative dispute resolution and ensure that it is institutionalized throughout the country.
MOUs and Partnerships
The National Centre for Dispute Resolution is working in association with the Sindh High Court to provide mediation services to litigants, to help resolve cases in a fast and efficient manner. The Centre is also a proud member of the Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group.
We have also signed Memorandums of Understanding with several organizations, including:
WHY CHOOSE NCDR?
The National Centre for Dispute Resolution is proud to have a large panel of ADR practitioners, consisting of some of the most qualified mediators and arbitrators in the country. Aside from former members of the judiciary, our panel includes practitioners from various fields and professionals, with expertise in a wide array of dispute resolution areas.
You can learn more about our array of services here. Additionally, you can also get in touch with the Centre directly and we will be happy to assist you.