Mohloai Mpesi
MINISTER of Law and Justice, Richard Ramoeletsi, has pledged not interfere in the partnership of the Law Society of Lesotho and the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA).
Mr Ramoeletsi was speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Law Society of Lesotho (LSL) and AFSA at the Mpilo Boutique Hotel on Friday.
The event was graced by the presence of the Attorney-General Advocate, Rapelang Motsieloa KC, President of the Arbitrators Association, Dr Advocate Letzadzo Kometsi, as well as the President of Law Society of Lesotho, Advocate Lintle Tuke.
The purpose of the MoU was to define the framework of cooperation between AFSA and the LSL to enhance the practice of international commercial arbitration, mediation and negotiation through a shared dispute resolution framework in Southern Africa.
The MoU particularly aspires to work towards the establishment of an AFSA SADC Alliance Affiliated Domestic Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, and a SADC Regional Seat for International Commercial Arbitration and Investment Dispute Resolution.
Both parties, LSL and AFSA, intend to promote a standardised and administered mechanism for international commercial dispute resolution at domestic level, among SADC Member States.
They also seek to promote law reform to facilitate international standards and harmonised regulatory frameworks for arbitration and mediation and general ease of doing business in the country and in the SADC region, as well as cooperating in capacity building and training of key experts in the field of arbitration and mediation.
Delivering his opening remarks at the occasion, Mr Ramoeletsi said that the government will not interfere in the partnership and, instead, committed to support the collaboration of the two institutions.
“As the government of Lesotho, we wholeheartedly welcome and support this collaboration. I wish to pledge our support to the development of arbitration and mediation as an integral part of our justice system.
“We commit to support law reform that strengthens arbitration and alternative dispute resolution frameworks, facilitating capacity building and training initiatives for our legal practitioners and ensuring that our policies continue to create an enabling environment and ease of ease of doing business through predictable, efficient dispute resolutions.
“I assure our partners, both domestic and international, that this government will not interfere politically in the operations and administration of this partnership. Independence and credibility are the soul of ADR and we shall protect both,” he said.
“Our disputes will no longer need to find resolutions abroad, instead, we shall resolve them here, under our own sky, within the comfort of our laws, guided by international best practices. This is what regional integration looks like in practice. When vision meets action,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer (ECO) of AFSA, Andile Nikani, said that since its founding in 1996, AFSA has become a leading arbitration foundation on the continent.
He said local legal practitioners are going to benefit from opportunities such as training, mentorship, and professional growth.
“Partnering with AFSA, the Law Society of Lesotho ensures that local practitioners have access to world class arbitration mediation systems, while strengthening Lesotho’s capacity to resolve disputes domestically.
“Through this MOU we will establish a dedicated AFSA office in Maseru serving as a focal point for arbitration and mediation services in the Kingdom. This will be a Lesotho office, run by Lesotho people,” he said.
He continued, “This partnership will open new opportunities for training, mentorship, and professional growth for Lesotho practitioners. They will have a chance to serve on both the AFSA-Lesotho and regional SADC panels, enhancing their exposure and standing across the region.
“For business, government departments and investors, AFSA-Lesotho will open access or at least will offer accessibility that is affordable and efficient, to dispute resolution services.”
Post Views: 950
