‘Justice Chautari’ to Resolve Disputes Within Communities

“Let’s resolve disputes through mediation. If we must go through the legal process, let it be free, simple, and accessible.” – Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol
 Date: Jestha 8, 2081 | Location: Kathmandu

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has launched the 'Justice Chautari' program to resolve local disputes through group discussion and mediation. Ward No. 11 Shanti Park, was the starting point for the program by the ward women's network. The topic of discussion on the dispute was not the occasion of the inauguration of the Chautari. The topic of discussion was what the usefulness of this Chautari is.

Bringing Justice to the Courtyard

Starting the program, Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan City Sunita Dangol said that the discussion held by the stakeholders in the Chautari will focus on the benefits of both parties, not on winning or losing in justice. 'No one should feel pain after losing in justice. No one should spend time and property due to disputes. We have organized the program to bring justice to the citizens' courtyard so that they do not get entangled in disputes and end up with problems in their lives. she said, 'Let's imagine an ideal society. Where there are no disputes. Instead of going to the courthouse after a dispute, let's resolve it according to our prevailing social system. This is good for everyone.'

Stating that people may be facing injustice due to lack of awareness of what violence is, she said that the Justice Chautari will provide information about the legal system.

Reviving Meaningful Traditions

Raising the issue of social norms at the program, Chief Administrative Officer Pradeep Pariyar said that there is a metaphor in the saying that sitting under a big tree will block water all the time. ' we can resolve small disputes right there; many conflicts will stop where they were created. We understand the country. We understand the foreign countries. However, we have forgotten our own original good practices. Among such forgotten practices is the practice of sitting in the Chautari and resolving disputes on your own. He said, “Chautari discusses issues such as ‘Skip the sky, don’t leave the earth’ as a means of awareness and reminding people of their responsibilities. This reduces a person’s passion, jealousy, and ambition. This is an environment that prevents disputes from arising.”

He further noted that resolving minor disputes at the source—where they begin—can prevent future conflicts and promote emotional intelligence, patience, and mutual respect.

From Informal to Institutional

“After the restoration of democracy, the elected representatives had started practicing reconciliation by forming an informal mechanism at the center. I was its coordinator.” 

At the program, Ward No. 11 Chairman Hiralal Tandukar said, “After the change in the governance system, a formal mechanism was formed by forming a judicial committee at the local level. Now, the powers that were in the committee have come from the ward to the Chautari of the tole. This is a commendable practice from the perspective of judicial decentralization.” Asha Shrestha Rauniyar, a member of the judicial committee and coordinator of the ward women’s network, expressed the view that the Nyaya Chautari will help make reconciliation efforts within the ward more accessible and effective.

Legal Awareness at the Grassroots

The Constitution of Nepal has granted citizens the right to justice, the right of crime victims, the right against torture, and the right to secure social justice. Along with these rights, the program was launched with the aim of informing citizens about the legal arrangements made by the Metropolitan City for the attainment of justice, explaining the methods and jurisdiction of obtaining rights, and holding a dialogue with citizens on the subject of law."

Basanta Acharya, Head of the Law and Human Rights Department, highlighted that this initiative is about empowering citizens with knowledge of their legal rights.

“The Constitution of Nepal guarantees citizens’ right to justice, protection from torture, and access to social justice. But how many know how to access those rights?”

He explained that the Metropolitan City has already introduced several relevant legal frameworks:

  • Dispute Resolution (Procedures) Act, 2075
  • Human Trafficking and Smuggling Control Procedure, 2078
  • Ward Women’s Network Operation Procedure, 2079
  • Gender Violence Prevention Fund Operation Procedure, 2078
  • Conciliation Center Operation Directive, 2079
  • Metropolitan Police Act, 2080
  • Legal Aid Procedure, 2080

“These laws ensure legal access to rights. Justice Chautari will now take the responsibility of educating citizens about them,” he said.

Future Plans: Institutionalizing the Chautari Culture

According to Ward Chair Dharmaraj Bhattarai, there are plans to:

  • Build physical Chautari structures across wards
  • Renovate existing Chautaris
  • Encourage communities to discuss neighborhood-level issues locally

At the launch, Locals were present in large numbers to participate in the traditional Chautari style, with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere created for both guests and locals.

The Metropolitan City also plans to expand the Justice Chautari program to other wards, promoting judicial decentralization, community dialogue, and peaceful conflict resolution at the grassroots level.