About Us
The International Centre for Access to Justice is a non-profit organization that aims to promote and provide dispute resolution services that are timeous, efficient and affordable within the Republic of Kenya. The Centre undertakes advocacy and promotion of Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) as well as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. The organisation’s mandate aligns with Article 159 of the Constitution of Kenya and the strategic focus of the Kenyan Judiciary espoused in its Blue Print on Social Transformation Through Access Justice (STAJ).
STAJ highlights the need for a people centred justice system anchored on Articles 1 and 159 of the Kenyan Constitution.
Donate to ICAJ
Thank you for your interest in donating to the International Centre for Access to Justice (ICAJ). Your contribution helps support access to justice for those in need.
Bank Details:
Account Name: ICAJ Trust
Bank: XYZ Bank
Account Number: 123456789
Mobile Donations:
Send your donation via M-Pesa to Paybill: 987654
Account Number: Your Name
Our Services
Alternative Justice Suite
Arbitration
Legal Aid Centre
Advocacy and Outreaches
Mediation
Training and Capacity building
Core Values
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Efficiency
Ensuring timeous and efficient delivery of dispute resolution services.
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Affordability
Providing affordable access to justice for all.
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Good Governance
Promoting principles of good governance.
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People-Centered Dispute Resolution
Placing people at the centre of dispute resolution and the justice system as a whole.
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Integrity
We are transparent, ethical, and focus on what is right.
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Fairness and Impartiality
We are guided by the facts of each dispute and exercise fairness in resolution.
Our core values guide our commitment to justice and service.
The International Centre for Access to Justice is a non-profit organisation that aims to promote and provide alternative dispute resolution services that are timeous, efficient and affordable within the Republic of Kenya.
“These are comprehensive organic non-state systems of laws, norms, customs, social and legal systems which govern and regulate the entire spectrum of activities and lives of individuals from birth to death. They are constituted, applied and enforced by the people themselves in their own communities…” These systems aim to be more restorative, collaborative, and less adversarial.
As an organisation focused on alternative Justice, ICAJ has an Alternative Justice Systems Centre and Alternative Courts (‘Lady Laureen’s Court’). The Centre shall provide alternative dispute resolution services and Legal Aid services for those in need. The services shall be provided at the AJS suite or through the informal courts.
Anyone with a dispute can submit it for resolution through any of the dispute resolution methods. To submit a case to the informal courts, a party may apply if interested in having their dispute resolved in this way.
No. As matters go through a very strict vetting process, the Centre is at liberty to accept or reject cases.
Yes. All decisions made by the court shall be binding.
The court handles small claims matters whose value falls below Ksh.1,000,000 (one million Kenya Shillings) as well as very specific criminal matters.
Yes. The Centre offers free legal aid services, and individuals who opt to have their disputes resolved by the alternative courts shall incur no costs.
The matter should be decided on the same day unless further evidence is needed.
The centre is located on NIAMEY ROAD, NAIROBI WEST, NAIROBI.
If the case is referred to us by the judiciary, parties are required to fill in the requisite forms, after which they shall appear in court. They will then be sworn in, the judge shall listen to each party’s side, ask questions, and then deliver a judgment.
If one party applies on our website (link attached here), the Centre will contact the second party and ask for their consent. If they agree to be part of the live court proceedings, they will fill in the requisite forms, appear in court, and have a judgment delivered by the judge. Parties cannot be bound to appear in this court. They must consent.
Currently, the courts are bombarded with cases. The average time for concluding a civil matter is about a year, but the reality coincides with this on very rare occasions. For the most part, the courts are delayed by matters beyond their control. Many citizens also lack adequate resources to access quality legal advice and usually go to court unrepresented.
AJS is a much faster and cheaper alternative to having a dispute resolved in court. It is a people-centered method of dispute resolution and does not require the parties to have lawyers. It also does not prioritize procedure. This is true for both the alternative courts as well as arbitration and mediation.