Conflict is inevitable. Over the course of our lives, we disagree with our neighbors, co-workers, and family members.

Sometimes, businesses like insurance companies, hospitals, schools etc. fail to render stellar services. Other times, professionals like lawyers, accountants, doctors, etc. fail to live up to the ethics dictated by their profession.

Sometimes, conflicts are minor inconveniences. At other times, they are a matter of life and death. When we have a conflict, we can litigate it or mitigate its effects by exploring other options. Having seen how effective alternative forms of dispute resolution can be, I encourage everyone to explore it, if possible, before resorting to litigation.

When you are wronged by an act or omission of another party, consider presenting your case before them before presenting the case to a Judge. Alternative forms of dispute resolution like mediation save money, time and stress.

Many public agencies offer mediation services. If you need assistance finding one in your city, you may email me at contact@annemmeje.com and I can direct you to relevant resources.

My book Better Roads to Justice: How to Resolve Your Legal Disputes in Nigeria Promptly Without Going to Court is now available on Amazon. If you are in Nigeria, you can get an electronic copy from selar.co at https://selar.co/9uln.

The reviews for the book are below.

Praise for Better Roads to Justice

This book is a page turner. I can only imagine the amount of hard work, dedication, and passion that went into creating this masterpiece. The writing is captivating and the author’s storytelling skills are truly impressive.

CHIKA OKOROAFOR – Immigration Lawyer, Lagos

The author takes a practical approach and shares real-life examples and scenarios, making it easy to relate and understand the concepts of ADR discussed. Her expertise in the field shines through each page, and the writing style is engaging and easy to follow. I found myself taking notes and highlighting passages for future reference. Being one who has always advocated for alternative means of resolving conflicts, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in ADR or seeking solutions to conflict in a non-confrontational manner. It provides practical advice and tools that can be applied in various situations, and it is written in a way that makes it accessible to both professionals and laypeople, and it is up to date.

RHODA SALIFU – Lawyer, and Master’s degree holder in Conflict, Peace and Strategic Studies from Kaduna State University

This book addresses the alarming challenges of obtaining justice through the traditional judicial system in Nigeria and offers alternative means of resolving legal disputes. The book highlights the limitations of the judicial system, including the high cost of legal representation, lengthy delays in obtaining judgments, and difficulties in enforcing judgments. The book offers alternative forms of dispute resolution that are quicker, cheaper, and more effective than traditional litigation, including mediation, arbitration, and negotiation. Most Nigerians (including me) are not even aware of these channels of quick resolution, and I believe this book has found an obvious void to fill. The practical insights laced with real-life examples offered in the book will certainly help Nigerians who lack knowledge of legal procedures and who are unfamiliar with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

DAMILARE ALEJI – Editor, Lagos

Having presided over arbitration sessions and resolved disputes through mediation and conciliation, I have seen my share of dedication and diligence in the lawyers and disputants that appear before me. Anne has demonstrated knowledge in alternative dispute resolution over the years, especially through her practical experiences in her work as a mediator in California and her online blog on alternative dispute resolution. I was particularly impressed with how Anne used practical examples to express her views and her addition of the multi-door courthouse system and the Ombudsman to this book, as many people do not know about these institutions available to them for out-of-court settlement of their disputes.

ADAEZE MGBEAHURU – Senior Magistrate and Senior Dispute Resolution Officer with Abia State Judiciary, Multi-Door Courthouse