1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

The Punakha Chimi submitted that the fees for Jabmis who are hired either for
settlement of legal disputes through mutual compromise or through hearing and
pleading of cases in courts should be fixed by the High Court. He also requested
that proper rules and regulations be framed for observance by Jabmis while
performing their responsibilities. For legal disputes in the villages which people
seek to settle through mutual agreement without taking it to court, the poor and
humble are often confronted with difficulties due to the absence of fixed fees to
be paid to the Jabmi. The following are six points submitted for consideration in
addressing this issue:
What are the standard fees payable to conciliators of legal disputes in the
villages?
While in the court, some people have to hire Jabmi. Since there are no fixed fees
payable to them, a standard amount has to be determined.
A standard also has to be set for legal representatives of litigants who are
incapable of arguing their own case.
What kinds of supports are provided by the court and by the government for
poor people who need a Jabmi but are unable to afford one?
A system has to be framed delineating cases in which the Gup, Chimi, Mangap
and Tshogpa are allowed to engage in conflict resolution.
The National Assembly needs to discuss the scope of a Jabmi’s mandate and
delineate what is not permissible for them to do. It must also be considered if
the one-month training provided to the Jabmis is sufficient to develop their
capabilities and meet the aspirations of the litigants.
The BCCI Chimi pointed out that the system of litigation by Jabmi has been
introduced mainly to benefit those people who are not fully aware of legal
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