Mediation In
Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
For businesses and individuals in Peshawar, The Olive Branch offers professional mediation services that combine global expertise with local understanding. We help resolve commercial, family, and workplace disputes in ways that preserve relationships and achieve lasting resolutions.
Accredited to International Standards
The Olive Branch Company operates under the highest regulatory frameworks in dispute resolution. We are fully accredited by the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) and hold membership with the International Mediation Institute (IMI), ensuring world-class standards of practice, ethics, and neutrality in every mediation we conduct.
Commercial Mediation with Clarity & Purpose
At The Olive Branch, we specialise in resolving complex conflicts with dignity, fairness, and real world results. Whether it's a commercial contract dispute, a leadership breakdown, or a cross cultural misunderstanding, we create a safe, neutral space where difficult conversations can move forward.
Tailored Expertise, Scaled for Your Dispute
No two disputes are identical, and highly technical conflicts demand specific, localised expertise. At The Olive Branch Company, we combine the personal accountability, agility, and dedicated focus of a boutique practice with the technical reach of a major institution.
While our mediations are led by our core panel, we operate through a leading, trusted network of specialists globally. Where a dispute hinges on highly technical, sector specific legal or structural nuances, such as complex construction parameters, intellectual property boundaries, or intricate corporate M&A frameworks, we engage with vetted industry experts to ensure the most appropriate resolution.
Industry Informed Resolution
Conflict in critical environments requires more than just legal theory, it requires real world battle scars and judicial precision. Our approach is anchored by over 30 years of global commercial leadership combined with a decade of judicial experience. This dual perspective allows us to cut through emotional noise, analyse risk with absolute clarity, and help you engineer strategic, final resolutions that protect both your financial position and your reputation.
The Olive Branch in Peshawar
The Olive Branch provides professional mediation services in Peshawar. Our experienced mediators work remotely to help you resolve disputes efficiently and effectively.
Our services operate within Pakistan's legal framework: Mediation in Pakistan follows the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act 2017, which provides comprehensive procedures for mediation, arbitration, and conciliation. Research indicates that in 2026, the fe...
Whether you're dealing with commercial conflicts, family matters, or workplace disputes, we offer a neutral, confidential space where all parties can speak freely and work toward mutually beneficial solutions. Our approach is grounded in real-world experience and a deep understanding of the challenges businesses and individuals face in Peshawar.
We understand that every dispute is unique. That's why we tailor our mediation process to your specific circumstances in Peshawar, ensuring that the resolution you reach is practical, lasting, and fair to everyone involved.
State Mediation Research
State Laws
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa operates under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Alternate Dispute Resolution Act, 2020 which provides a comprehensive framework for ADR in the province. The Act introduces the concept of Saliseen (neutrals) and ADR committees to provide fast-track settlement mechanisms for litigants. The Act defines ADR as a process where parties agree to resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation, conciliation and evaluation rather than formal court adjudication. The provincial government has issued notifications for ADR implementation across the province. The Act supports Article 37(d) of the Constitution of Pakistan which mandates providing inexpensive and expeditious justice. The traditional Jirga and Panchayat systems continue to function alongside formal ADR mechanisms.
Court-Mandated Programs
Courts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can refer civil matters for ADR with consent of parties. Deputy Commissioners or other designated officers can also refer civil disputes for ADR. The time frame for ADR proceedings is six months maximum for civil matters. For criminal matters, all compoundable offences under Section 345 Cr.PC can be referred to ADR with consultation of parties. The time frame for criminal ADR proceedings is three months. The court can record evidence during postponement. The referring authority can select one or more Salis from the roll of Saliseen for dispute resolution. Upon completion of ADR, the dispute is submitted to the court for final adjudication. No appeal or revision can be filed from decrees passed as a consequence of ADR.
Licensing Requirements
The Saliseen Selection Committee operates at divisional level and approves panels of Saliseen for each district on recommendation of the district administration. The committee composition includes the Commissioner of the Division as Chairman, Regional Police Officer, Senior Civil Judge (Admin), law enforcement agency official, Regional Director Prosecution, Special Branch representative and Deputy Commissioner as members. Saliseen must meet qualification criteria prescribed by the government. The government may arrange training courses for Saliseen. The selection process ensures representation from various professional backgrounds and includes women where appropriate.
Local Court Systems
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has a court system with the Peshawar High Court as the highest provincial court. The subordinate judiciary includes district and sessions courts, civil courts and family courts. The court system operates in Urdu and English. The provincial Home Department oversees ADR implementation. Dispute Resolution Councils have been established across the province. The traditional Jirga system operates at local levels and resolves many disputes. The court system actively supports ADR to reduce backlog and provide access to justice in remote areas.
Sources
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Alternate Dispute Resolution Act, 2020 (legislation)
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department ADR Implementation (government)
- Peshawar High Court (organisation)
Pakistan Mediation Research
Legal Framework
Mediation in Pakistan follows the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act 2017, which provides comprehensive procedures for mediation, arbitration, and conciliation. Research indicates that in 2026, the federal government may have enacted the Alternative Dispute Resolution (Amendment) Act, 2026, introducing significant reforms by making ADR mandatory for specified categories of disputes. A new Section 3A was reportedly inserted, making it compulsory for courts to refer all matters listed in Schedule-II to ADR, marking a major departure from the previous discretionary framework. Schedule-II contains civil, commercial, financial, and family-related matters considered suitable for settlement outside court. Section 25A grants the federal government authority to amend the schedules in consultation with the Islamabad High Court through official notification. Research indicates that the Income Tax Ordinance (Third Amendment) Act, 2026 may have substituted the ADR scheme at section 134A, streamlining the ADR mechanism for tax disputes with changes to committee composition, timeline extended from 60 to 90 days, and new appeal rights for state-owned entities. Verify these 2026 amendments against official Pakistani legislation databases. Several provinces have enacted their own ADR statutes: Punjab ADR Act 2019, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ADR Act 2020, and Balochistan ADR Act 2022. The Family Courts Act 1964 requires judges to attempt reconciliation in family disputes. Pakistan signed the Singapore Convention on Mediation on 17 December 2024, becoming the 58th signatory.
While Pakistan operates under this legal framework, The Olive Branch's remote mediators bypass local court backlogs by providing swift, confidential, and mutually agreed-upon resolutions online.
Court System
The 2026 ADR Amendment Act fundamentally changes the court-ADR relationship by making ADR mandatory for disputes listed in Schedule-II rather than discretionary. Courts are now legally bound to initiate ADR before proceeding with formal litigation for civil, commercial, financial, and family-related matters. The Income Tax Ordinance (Third Amendment) Act 2026 embeds ADR within the judicial process by empowering the Federal Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, or High Court to refer pending tax disputes to the Board for resolution through an ADR Committee, either on their own motion or upon application. For SOEs not wholly owned by the federal government, pending High Court petitions abate but they have a right of appeal to the Federal Constitutional Court or Supreme Court within sixty days. The Supreme Court has consistently emphasized a pro-ADR approach, holding that courts should encourage arbitration and mediation to alleviate the overburdened judicial system. On 6 May 2025, the Supreme Court issued a directive emphasizing a pro-mediation bias and establishing mediation as the first resort in litigation. The judiciary has urged judges and lawyers to identify disputes suitable for mediation at earliest stages, calling for a cultural shift toward mediation as a first option rather than last resort.
Mediator Regulations
Mediator accreditation in Pakistan is regulated by the ADR Mediation Accreditation (Eligibility) Rules 2023, which establish training and certification requirements nationwide. The Pakistan Mediators Association (PMA) has an IMI Certified Mediator Training Programme approved in August 2020, delivering courses in both English and Urdu. MICADR maintains a panel of nationally and internationally accredited mediators and arbitrators, including former High Court and Supreme Court judges. The Mediation Practice Direction (Civil) Rules 2023 provide procedural consistency for court referred mediation. Continuing professional development is encouraged through advanced training programmes. Accredited mediators must meet established competency standards to serve on court panels and in private practice. The certification system ensures quality standards for mediators across federal and provincial jurisdictions.
Cultural Approach
Pakistan has a strong tradition of consensual dispute resolution through community mechanisms including jirga, panchayat, and community elders. These traditional practices demonstrate that consensual dispute resolution is not unknown in Pakistani culture. The concept of musaalihat (reproaching or conciliation) in Urdu and maslaha in Arabic, which defines the basis of law in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence, underpins modern mediation practice. Islamic principles emphasise reconciliation and maintaining relationships. The cultural preference for harmony and community consensus supports mediation's collaborative nature. However, there is an important distinction between customary practices and professional mediation, which is underpinned by neutrality, voluntariness of outcome, procedural justice, and enforceability. The Supreme Court has recognised mediation as a dignified and culturally attuned process.
Typical Costs
Mediation costs in Pakistan vary by institution and case complexity. Court-annexed mediation through the ADR Act 2017 is generally low-cost as part of court proceedings. Private mediation through institutions like MICADR and IBA-ADRIC charges fees based on case complexity and mediator expertise. The IBA-ADRC has a structured fee schedule covering mediator attendance for up to 8 hours, with additional fees for extended sessions. MICADR operates on a fee-for-service basis. Police station Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) provide free mediation for minor conflicts. Costs are typically shared between parties unless otherwise agreed. The cost savings compared to litigation are significant, with mediation typically resolving disputes in weeks rather than years. The economic advantages of mediation include substantial savings in legal costs and time for Pakistani businesses.
Sources
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Act 2017 (legislation)
- Punjab ADR Act 2019 (legislation)
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ADR Act 2020 (legislation)
- Balochistan ADR Act 2022 (legislation)
- MICADR - Musaliha International Centre for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (organisation)
- Mandatory Mediation in Pakistan: From Judicial Imperative to Legislative Urgency (organisation)
- Evaluating the Mediation System in Pakistan (organisation)
- Pakistan Signs the Singapore Convention (organisation)
- New York Convention - Pakistan (organisation)
- Mediation as an Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism in Pakistan (organisation)
Our Mediation Process
The Initial Consultation
We meet with you to understand your situation, what matters to you, and what justice looks like for you. You tell us your story in your own words, and we explain how mediation could help you achieve it.
Preparation and Contextual Review
We prepare thoroughly so you don't have to. We review the relevant information privately, ensuring we understand the full context before bringing everyone together. You'll know what to expect and can prepare for the conversation ahead.
Setting the Environment
We create a confidential space where you can speak freely and be heard on equal terms. You'll have the opportunity to speak directly to those who need to hear your experience, and we ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
The Facilitated Negotiation
We facilitate a dialogue where you can seek accountability and ask for the change you need to see. You remain in control of the outcome while we help craft solutions that fit your specific circumstances rather than applying a standard approach.
Finalising the Resolution
We conclude with a clear agreement that reflects what matters to you. The resolution is shaped by your needs and gives you a practical path forward, with the understanding that the experience of being heard is as important as the outcome itself.
The Initial Consultation
Your journey begins with a confidential discovery call. You will speak directly with our lead mediator—not an automated system or an intake assistant. During this initial conversation, we will map out the high-level dynamics of your dispute, assess whether mediation is the most strategic path forward for your situation, and answer any immediate procedural questions you may have.
Preparation and Contextual Review
We prepare thoroughly so you don't have to. We review the relevant information privately, ensuring we understand the full context before bringing everyone together. You'll know what to expect and can prepare for the conversation ahead.
Setting the Environment
We create a confidential space where you can speak freely and be heard on equal terms. You'll have the opportunity to speak directly to those who need to hear your experience, and we ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
The Facilitated Negotiation
We facilitate a dialogue where you can seek accountability and ask for the change you need to see. You remain in control of the outcome while we help craft solutions that fit your specific circumstances rather than applying a standard approach.
Finalising the Resolution
We conclude with a clear agreement that reflects what matters to you. The resolution is shaped by your needs and gives you a practical path forward, with the understanding that the experience of being heard is as important as the outcome itself.
Continue your search for resolution
Every dispute is personal and complex. We are here to provide the neutral space and expert guidance you need to find a lasting resolution in Peshawar.
Talk to Our Team