Kathmandu, Aug. 4: The government has introduced a bill to amend Nepal’s Mediation Act, proposing to allow judges to serve as mediators in an effort to resolve disputes more quickly and expand access to justice. The bill aims to promote faster, simpler and less expensive dispute resolution through mediation while expanding mediation services to the provincial and local levels. Under the proposed amendment, a judge designated by the Chief Judge from among district judges in district courts with five or more judges may also act as a mediator in cases that are legally eligible for mediation or settlement. To promote community-based dispute resolution, local communities, in coordination with local governments, would be allowed to establish community mediation centres. The bill seeks to amend the Mediation Act, 2011, as part of the government’s broader effort to make dispute resolution more accessible and efficient.