Dispute Resolution Council (Drc) as a Flexible System of Conflict Resolution: Evidence From Pakistan

Abstract

The current study was conducted in district Mardan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the aim to found people’s satisfaction from Dispute Resolution Council (DRC) as flexible system. A sample size of 311 respondents was taken through Mwakaje (2013) formula who had registered their cases through DRC using simple random sampling technique. The data were collected through interview schedule and univariate and bivariate analysis were conducted. Findings of the study denoted that DRC is a flexible system which is easily accessible by the poor masses. It is an impartial system free from any external influence. Due to the diverse nature of its panel, it solve problem according to culture, religion and law of the society. Equal opportunities are given to the disputant parties to explain their view point without pressure. Moreover, the decision of DRC is not final. In case justice is not provided to them, they can easily challenge its decision. People should feel free to contact DRC any time for their cases. People should registered their cases at any stage of their dispute, should be solved in minimum duration to save resources of the people, and guidance should be provided in legal matters to the uneducated and poor people for free of cost. Keywords: DRC, ADR, Disputes resolution, Flexibility, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Factors influencing the Effectiveness of Dispute Resolution Council in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan

“…Dispute resolution refers to the process of handling conflicts, disagreements, or misunderstandings which is required for the peace and harmony in a community, society, and nation (Khan et al, 2022b). This peace is further required for the political, social, and economic development of a country (Manzoor et al, 2020).…”

“…The developing countries like Pakistan has also a justice system primarily comprised of the legal nature of formal courts (Madani et al, 2013;Braithwaite and Gohar, 2014;Khan et al, 2022b). However, the system has been proved to be time consuming, expensive and tiresome (Shinwari, 2019).…”

“…Hence, the adoption of local system was necessary to address the local issues in an efficient and less time consuming manner (Roder, 2019;Khan et al, 2022a). serve the justice locally (Khan et al, 2022b). The council has been established by the provincial police department to deal with the local petty issues so that the people may find inexpensive, affordable, flexible, transparent, less time consuming, less tired some and local justice system (Manzoor et al, 2020).…”

“…It is a mechanism of disputes resolution involving member from the police department and community of the various professions thus comprising a diversity (Khan et al, 2022a). The dispute resolution was taken according to the social and cultural values and norms of the respective society (Khan et al, 2022b). DRC is the alternate mechanism for dispute resolution found by the people on their door step.…”

“…DRC is the alternate mechanism for dispute resolution found by the people on their door step. This is very Various studies has been conducted to highlight the functioning and effectiveness of the council in the province (Khan, 2017;Shah, 2019;Manzoor et al, 2020;Khan et al, 2022a;Khan et al, 2022b). All these studies have focused on the functionality, mechanism and effectiveness of the DRC.…”