PSF, Rwanda Judiciary Advises Mediation To Settle Court Cases
The Private Sector Federation and Rwanda's Judiciary have teamed up to advocate for mediation as a fast, private, and efficient alternative to court trials for settling business and labor disputes.
On 15th April 2025, the Private Sector Federation (PSF) in collaboration with Rwanda's Judiciary organized a high-level engagement meeting to provide a platform for employers to understand, promote, and utilize mediation as a practical and efficient tool for resolving labor and commercial disputes. This initiative aimed to contribute to a more stable and business-friendly environment.
The meeting took place at the Kigali Convention Center (KCC). According to Justice Sector data, the total number of court cases (including business lawsuits) has increased from 2017 from 237 to 2,445 in 2024, and then to 1,271 in the first five months of 2025.
The goal of this action, according to PSF Chairperson Jeanne Francoise Mubiligi, is to enhance company operations nationwide and conform to the nation's current commercial conflict resolution practices.
"Instead of losing corporate relationships because of disputes, mediation is a better way to seek justice and improve them," Mubiligi noted. "We are prepared to collaborate with courts, particularly the judiciary, to advance this idea and practices."
"We need lasting peace and justice in order to have a lasting business community," Mubiligi continued.
The Supreme Court President, Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, formally opened the one-day meeting and emphasized the value of alternative dispute resolution, stating that it is the most effective means of reducing backlogs of court cases. He also pledged to assist the private sector in achieving this objective.
"I want to let you know that mediation offers a high degree of assurance when it comes to settling conflicts. Thus, the legal system is prepared to assist the private sector, and we urge the business community to look for alternative conflict resolution as a means of attracting investment and creating a peaceful, harmonious economy," Mukantaganzwa stated.
Harrison Mutabazi, a High Court Judge and Judicial Spokesperson, stated that since mediation only accounts for 10% of commercial court cases at the moment, there is a need to raise awareness of the available alternative dispute resolution procedures in order to further lower the number of unresolved court cases.
Prof. Sam Rugege, a former president of the Supreme Court, spoke to the business community about the background, development, and advantages of mediation in Rwanda. According to Rugege, mediation has been in Rwanda from pre-colonial times, when the Gacaca systems and the Abunzi model were used to maintain peace among Rwandans. The most recent of these was arbitration.
"In contrast to courts where anything can be used against you and business information made public, you can create your own solutions, express your views and ideas, and do it in private and behind closed doors."
Prof. Rugege used his experience to caution the business community against court disputes, claiming that they are time-consuming, unpleasant, and can last for years. He also said that mediation can help people cope with stress.