Legal advisors from public institutions have been urged to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to prevent unnecessary litigation that often results in heavy costs to the government.

The call was made by the Minister of Justice, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, during a meeting in Kigali on April 4 where 134 legal advisors from public institutions gathered to exchange insights on improving the quality and consistency of legal counsel, with a particular emphasis on ADR.

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"When the government loses a court case, the financial impact goes beyond the judgment itself. The time spent before the case is resolved also comes at a cost,” the minister said. He stressed that ADR, including mediation and negotiation, should be prioritised, especially for disputes that can be resolved outside the formal court system.

"We’ve observed that many conflicts can be settled through mediation, a traditional Rwandan approach that used to bring conflicting parties back together. Litigation often delays resolution, and when appeals are involved, the cost increases even further.” ADR is faster, less costly, and helps address the root causes of disputes, he said, pointing out that many stakeholders in the justice sector, including attorneys and public institution legal advisors, are increasingly understanding and applying the ADR policy.

Courts also started encouraging parties to consider mediation in suitable cases, he noted.

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"One case that was brought to our attention involved a $6 million dispute. The court referred the parties to mediation, and it was successfully resolved within three months, far quicker than the five years it would typically take in court,” he said.

When asked about the benefits for legal professionals, the minister noted that lawyers registered with the Supreme Court receive compensation for handling complex ADR cases. However, even other unregistered mediators can be engaged, provided both parties agree.

Ugirashebuja also addressed past misconceptions.

"There used to be a belief that lawyers benefited from prolonged court cases. But a good lawyer is one who resolves disputes quickly and earns the client’s trust, leading to more referrals.”

He added that the ministry has begun training community leaders, including faith-based organisation and local officials, to support the rollout of ADR mechanisms.

Sharing international experiences, Ugirashebuja said, "in some countries, due to court congestion, a new case can take 15 to 20 years to be resolved. Lawyers there often prefer ADR to avoid the lengthy and costly litigation process.”

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He warned that delays in resolving disputes through formal legal systems could push people to seek justice through force, where the powerful prevail, something Rwanda is actively working to prevent.

Jean-Bosco Dukundane, the Legal Affairs Officer at Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA), said the meeting in which they were trained about ADR was timely.

"ADR is a key government policy aimed at reducing the backlog of court cases. As legal advisors, we often encounter challenges that can lead to litigation. This training has shown us how to better manage such issues through ADR in our daily work,” he said.

Adeline Nyiransengiyumva, Kamonyi District’s Legal Advisor, also welcomed the initiative, noting that it would help prevent financial losses caused by court defeats.

"This policy aims to promote conflict resolution without going to court. It helps prevent legal losses and social tensions. However, there is still work to be done, as some people prefer to push cases to higher courts rather than seek alternative solutions,” she said.

Between January 2017 and March 2025, up to 9,299 cases were resolved through mediation, while between October 11, 2022, and March 31, this year, 20,570 cases were settled through plea bargaining. Of these, 5,484 cases were handled in intermediate courts and 15,086 in primary courts, according to the Ministry of Justice.