Plea bargaining spotlighted at legal conference

Judicial and legal experts came together yesterday in Windhoek for the opening of the country’s first National Conference on Alternative Dispute Resolution.The conference is taking place under the theme 'Enhancing Access to Justice through Plea Bargaining: Lessons, Prospects and Practical Solutions'.Chief justice Peter Shivute on Tuesday welcomed his counterpart from Uganda, chief justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, ahead of yesterday’s event.Shivute said alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is becoming increasingly relevant in modern judicial systems around the world. It offers mechanisms that are “flexible, cost-reducing and provide efficient pathways for resolving disputes. While traditionally associated with civil and commercial matters, the principles of ADR, such as dialogue, negotiation and mutual settlement, are increasingly being applied within the criminal justice system.”“Plea bargaining in particular,” Shivute said, “offers an alternative route for resolving criminal cases without the need for a full trial. When implemented with the necessary safeguards, it has the potential to reduce case backlogs, improve efficiency, and ensure justice is served while protecting the rights of all parties involved.”Learning from the bestUganda is regarded as a continental leader in applying plea bargaining and alternative dispute resolutions. Shivute said Uganda’s experience with implementing plea bargaining has become “a reference point for many across the continent”.According to judiciary spokesperson Vikitoria Hango, members of the Uganda delegation were set to share their experiences with participants at the conference.She said Namibia has an opportunity to learn from Uganda’s experience and assess what might be applicable locally. “Our system currently does not include plea bargaining, and the closest we have to alternative dispute resolution is mediation,” she explained.On Tuesday, Namibia’s judiciary signed a memorandum of understanding with Uganda’s judiciary.The agreement will facilitate the exchange of knowledge on computer-based legal systems, alternative dispute resolution including criminal plea bargaining, and the strengthening of institutional capacity and performance through cooperation between the two countries’ legal systems.

Plea bargaining spotlighted at legal conference

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-05

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Plea bargaining spotlighted at legal conference

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-05

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