Public Interest Work

ACCESS TO JUSTICE

IME’s philanthropic side works to enhance Access to Justice through the promotion of alternative forms of dispute resolution to reduce the time and costs involved in the resolution of a wide spectrum of disputes. This will improve community dispute management, through preservation of interpersonal, work, and business relationships, and the environment, which is set to benefit the national economy by redirecting large sums of money, locked in litigation, back into the economy. The company seeks to provide an alternative to the traditional court system.

OUR BELIEFS

We firmly believe that effective conflict management is considered necessary for the enduring prosperity of Government, organisations, businesses, institutions, communities, and the nation at large. This conviction recognises the need to:

Navigate ever-evolving environments presenting organisational, community and other challenges.
Ensure streamlined and productive government operations and services.
Engage in high-level public policy negotiations that greatly impact citizens, communities, and the environment.
Adapt to emerging technologies that disrupt conventional business practices while optimising human resources.
Address conflicts of varying scales in both formal and informal sectors, including those involving individuals, organisations, industries, and communities.

OUR SDG RESPONSE

To provide high quality non-coercive ADR service delivery, user friendliness and cost effectiveness.
To maintain high standards of competence at all levels through capacity building, and training.
To promote the rule of law and human rights in alternative dispute resolution service delivery in communities and in the private sector.
To legitimise ADR and improve public awareness of mediation and other ADR mechanisms recognised by the Constitution .
To build public confidence and entrench a culture of mediation and ADR in Zambia and the region.

OUR PUBLIC INTEREST ACTIVITIES

ADR SERVICE PROVISION AND ADVOCACY

Assisting parties in dispute by providing a wide spectrum of high-quality ADR mechanisms and services, including mediation, negotiation, conciliation, early neutral evaluation, dispute system design, facilitation and coaching.
Creating a dispute resolution practice model that can be replicated in other parts of the country and the region.
Maintaining a database of highly qualified dispute resolution practitioners.
Examining and recommending particular types of cases most appropriate for inclusion or exclusion in ADR schemes, with particular emphasis on micro, small and medium enterprises.
Offering affordable mediation services to support and resolve conflicts within local communities.

training

Offering practical skills-based education and training courses and mentorship in mediation, mediation advocacy and other ADR mechanisms to build capacity across all sectors of society.
Training and accrediting dispute resolution practitioners.
Providing capacity-building programs for mediators in collaboration with local and international partners.
Offering subsidised capacity-building programmes for communities.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO LEGISLATION AND POLICIES

Advocating for the use of mediation and other non-coercive forms of alternative dispute resolution as the preferred modes of dispute resolution for government, corporations, employers and employee representatives and the public at large.
Lobbying for policy and legislative framework to guide the promotion and use of ADR mechanisms following their constitutional recognition in the country
Promoting the use of dispute resolution clauses that promote a wider range of ADR mechanisms including negotiation and mediation.

COLLABORATION

Collaborating with universities, professional organisations and other groups to utilise ADR processes within the legal fraternity and other professions.
Working with the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to encourage lawyers to advise clients, to consider using mediation, early neutral evaluation and other non-coercive ADR mechanisms as a first resort before litigation.
Work in partnership with ADR organisations and bodies, including existing private-sector providers of ADR training and services.
Developing complementary public awareness and sensitisation programs aimed at key stakeholder groups.