The National Authority for Alternative Dispute Resolution (NADR) has signed two separate memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on cooperation in mediation and dispute resolution with the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia (BAKC) and the National Commercial Arbitration Centre (NCAC).

The agreements were signed by Minister of Justice Koeut Rith, head of NADR, with BAKC president Ly Chantola and NCAC president San Kiri, respectively, on July 30, according to a joint press release.

The arrangements are valid for three years and will be renewed automatically if neither of the parties chooses to annul them. The MoUs were signed to facilitate non-judicial mediation mechanisms, making alternative dispute resolution more effective, diverse and accessible to local people, which is one of the goals of judicial reform.

"Based on these MoUs, the NADR will cooperate with the BAKC and NCAC to finalise the proceedings of disputes that have been successfully settled by either lawyers or NCAC mediators. BAKC and NCAC will submit the notes of resolution to NADR for acknowledgment, giving the notes the same legal effectiveness as a final court decision,” the press release stated.

Through these MoUs, the NADR will work with both parties to widely disseminate information about the benefits of out-of-court mediation for dispute resolution.

NADR aims to continue cooperating with relevant ministries and institutions in the capital and provincial administrations throughout the country by signing similar MoUs, aiming to promote the framework nationwide.

The main purpose of these mechanisms is to reduce case backlogs at all courts, bring judicial services closer to citizens and ensure societal harmony.