(a) whether the International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution, a society working under the Union Law Ministry has introduced a six month post-graduation diploma course in Family Dispute Resolution;
(b) if so, the main features of the course;
(c) the places where this course has since been introduced; and
(d) the extent to which it will help in reducing the burden on courts;
MINISTER OF LAW, JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The Course will be completed in six months and will consist of two semesters. The Family Dispute Resolution Course has been designed by the International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution and National Academy of Legal Studies and Research, University of Law, Hyderabad to provide contemporary understanding of the subject, especially in Indian context and has also incorporated the necessary training skills to be imparted to those who have undertake this course. The course structure is designed mainly with three objectives in view:
(1) to provide adequate sociological perspective and clear understanding of Marriage Laws and other related matters and of the basic problems relating to family life such as causative factors for dissolution of marriage, dowry, domestic violence, extra-marital relations, new area of NRI-related lifestyle of material relationship, child care and protection;
(2) to give an overview of the relevant statutes, subordinate legislation, customary law and precedents in regulating family matters;
(3) to study the adjudicatory process and functioning of adjudicatory mechanisms in family matters and to examine the conventional methods of adjudication generally, and more specifically, the new methods of adjudication, namely, arbitration, conciliation, counseling and settlement of family disputes.
(c) Hyderabad.
(d) It is expected that the conciliators trained during this course will be able to assist the parties in arriving at settlement of family disputes and ultimately reduce the burden on courts.