IPOH, July 10 -- Long-running and backlogged civil cases pending before the courts can now be referred to mediation service without being withdrawn, allowing disputes to be resolved in as little as one day.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said mediation services provide faster and more cost-effective way to resolve disputes.

Kulasegaran suggested parties involved in pending civil suits do not have to withdraw their cases to pursue mediation, but instead apply to the court for the proceedings to be stayed temporarily and seek the judge's permission to refer the dispute to mediation.

"I think the better approach is not to withdraw the case. Let the case remain in court and ...