JCCI body to mediate trade, labor disputes

JEDDAH: The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced on Monday it would set up a special mediation department by October to handle noncriminal disputes between individuals and companies. The measure is aimed at reducing the backlog of cases in courts and other departments.

“The new department can mediate to resolve about 50 percent of cases before courts and other arbitration organs in various parts of the Kingdom,” JCCI Deputy Chairman Abdullah Bin Mahfouz told a press conference at the chamber’s headquarters.

The mediation department will first focus on tackling commercial and labor disputes between employers and Saudi or foreign employees.

Bin Mahfouz emphasized that this department will focus on mediating civil disputes and not cases where allegations of criminal behavior are in play. The move is aimed at expediting civil disputes.

The department will be staffed by university-degree holders who are at least 30 years of age. They will be assigned in accordance with the specific areas of expertise. Mediators are currently being selected and trained. Some mediators may be non-Saudi to facilitate interaction with foreign residents who would feel more comfortable working with mediators of the same or similar cultural background.

The JCCI has stressed that this department would mediate according to the principles of Shariah. Mediation would be optional unless a court refers a specific case to the JCCI.

The director of the new department, Tarik Hamoud Al-Ibrahim, said nominal fees would be charged for mediation. He said special teams of women mediators would be constituted. The department will in the future include medical cases and issues related to intellectual property.

He said the department would work in close coordination with the courts, the governorates, the chambers of commerce, the labor offices, the police, traffic authorities and other public and private institutions.

“The department will save millions of riyals that have been spent on lengthy litigation and would create a reconciliatory atmosphere in the country,” he added.