Overview
- At a two-day national conference in Goa organised by the Bar Council of India and IIULER, the CJI framed mediation as a cost‑effective, consensual process that should become a first-line option in India’s justice system.
- He stressed that mediation is voluntary and not mandated by law, cautioned against mechanical referrals, and affirmed that courts will adjudicate disputes on merits where settlement is unsuitable.
- Unveiling a ‘multi‑door courthouse’ concept, he proposed courts operate as comprehensive dispute‑resolution centres offering pathways to mediation, arbitration and litigation tailored to each case.
- Addressing capacity gaps, he noted about 39,000 trained mediators today and said India needs more than 250,000, calling for standardized training, ethical norms and institutional support through bodies such as MCPC and NALSA.
- Signaling a public awareness push, he led a roughly 2‑km Mediation Awareness Walk in Panaji, administered an Oath of Mediation, highlighted referrals in cheque dishonour, commercial, matrimonial and motor accident matters, and launched a 30‑day drug‑abuse awareness campaign.