Reconciliation and settlement committees succeeded in reducing the burden on the courts. These panels settled 95 per cent of the total disputes in the wilayats of Muscat, 89 per cent in Al Amerat, 88 per cent in Al Seeb, and 97 per cent in Qurayyat.
Dr Ibrahim bin Sulaiman al Amiri, Director of Reconciliation and Settlement Department in Muscat, said these committees were established according to Royal Decree No. (98/2005). It specialises in settling disputes between parties before filing a lawsuit.
Through conciliation between its parties, whether the subject of the dispute is civil or commercial. These committees are affiliated with the Ministry of Justice.
Regarding the role of these committees in settling disputes, Dr Al Amiri said that these committees have many advantages, especially the mandatory completion of procedures within 60 days starting from the date of application. It may be extended for thirty days.
The parties can file the application free of cost after which a date is set for the meeting. The committees guarantee confidentiality, privacy, and ease of implementing reconciliation reports by simplifying them in an executive format.
Al Amiri said reconciliation and settlement committees hold their sessions in a calm atmosphere. Each party presents its claims without complexity. The committee listens to both parties, discusses with them fairly, and offers them reconciliation. Some negotiations may take place, and may include persuasion, and one or both of them may waive some of their demands for the sake of reconciliation.
If the two parties agree, reconciliation shall be concluded between them directly and it shall be signed by both parties. Thus, the procedures are completed in one session, and the session may be postponed to another date to complete the negotiations, but all of this does not exceed a week or two.
He said these committees work to promote a culture of dialogue and reconciliation between individuals without going to the courts. It provides a safe and neutral environment for disputing parties to sit together and discuss solutions. Amicable settlement and conciliation is an effective alternative to the traditional judicial path to resolve some disputes. These committees constitute a role model in dealing with some issues and achieving consensus and harmony among members of society.
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