The objective of this project is to compel disputants to pass through these offices before filing a lawsuit. The ministry believes reconciliation is better than going to court.  It is unbelievable that 65 percent of cases received by the Saudi courts are family issues, such as divorce, alimony, custody and nursing.

Courts should take a serious initiative to eliminate these issues before they reach the judge. Many family problems could be solved through mediation and reconciliation between the disputing parties under the supervision of experts and professionals. Social workers could be of great help to court officers because of their role in reducing the burden of litigation and in finding amicable solutions.

This is called “alternative justice” and will bring results of goodness to the community. Usually, when litigants in a dispute leave the courtroom, one side is satisfied, while the other is disgruntled. Mediation in reconciliation offices, on the other hand, will help reduce ill will and take the situation back to normal.

The new initiative will certainly play a major role in reducing the number of cases received by Saudi courts where litigation over family disputes drag on for many years.

Some people intentionally do not attend court sessions to incite their rivals in a dispute. This leads to delays in hearings and investigations, apart from upsetting court schedules. Saudi courts sink in cases and issues that drag on for several years. In fact, they could be resolved even before they reach the courts.