Barbados | May 2009 – May 2010 

Administration of Justice Programme.

The Government of Barbados received a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank to assist in financing the modernization and strengthening of the ‘Administration of Justice’ Programme. This programme, which was implemented by the Justice Improvement Programme Secretariat, Office of the Attorney General, sought to modernize the justice sector by improving court administration processes, enhancing access to justice and reducing the economic and social costs associated with criminal behaviour.

In the context of such programme, ADR Center was awarded the ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution’ programme, a twelve-month project (May 2009 – May 2010) aimed at promoting mediation in Barbados.

ADR Center worked with the Judiciary and Judicial Council of Barbados to design, coordinate, and implement the project activities, which include various trainings on mediation (basic, advanced, mediation advocacy, family mediation, peer mediation, community mediation, court-annexed ADR, etc.).

To ensure sustainability of ADR in the community, there was also ‘train the trainers’ courses, which allowed local lawyers and business people to be trained as mediators. The goal was to assist the courts and allow judges to use these mediators to refer cases for mediation. ADR Center established firm standards and a suitable process for certification and evaluation of mediators and trainers of mediation.

Workshops for judges, magistrates, attorneys and members of civil society organizations were also implemented to review the success and challenges of cases that are referred to ADR and to evaluate the efficiency of the efforts to promote mediation in Barbados. 

Other key activities include the drafting of an ADR Guidance Procedure for the Judiciary and the Bar, making a proposal for an ADR Act, and developing an ADR Pilot Project.

Lastly, ADR Center worked closely with the Community Legal Services Commission, Bar Association and Civil Society Organisations to inform their membership about the availability, use, and cost of mediation.

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For further information please contact the Project Secretariat at:

ADR Center – Barbados

1st Floor Goding House, Spry Street – Bridgetown (Barbados)

Phone: +1 (246) 426-2019 – Fax: +1 (246) 427 8061

E-mail: barbados@adrcenter.com – Web site: www.adrcenter.com/international