Consensus, Conscience, and Justice: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas of ADR in South Africa and the BRICS Context
https://doi.org/10.30729/2541-8823-2025-10-3-143-156
Abstract
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has gained prominence globally as a mechanism for resolving conflicts outside traditional court systems. In South Africa, ADR is not only a pragmatic response to judicial inefficiencies but also a constitutional tool for promoting access to justice, equality, and participatory democracy. However, the ethical dimensions of ADR, particularly in contexts marked by socio-economic disparities and cultural pluralism, pose significant challenges. This paper explores these ethical dilemmas within South Africa’s ADR framework and compares them with similar issues in other BRICS nations. It argues that South Africa’s unique blend of transformative constitutionalism and the ethical philosophy of Ubuntu offers a compelling model for ethically grounded ADR. The paper concludes by proposing strategies for strengthening ethical standards and fostering BRICS-wide cooperation in dispute resolution.
About the Author
William Manga Mokofe
Walter Sisulu University;
High Court of South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
William Manga Mokofe — Senior Law Lecturer, Advocate
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Review
For citations:
Mokofe W.M. Consensus, Conscience, and Justice: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas of ADR in South Africa and the BRICS Context. Kazan University Law Review. 2025;10(3):143-156. https://doi.org/10.30729/2541-8823-2025-10-3-143-156
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