Soundarya College of Law, in association with MMM (Mohit Mokal Mediation) and Chanakya University, Bangalore, organized a Round Table Conference titled “Mediation Matters: Past Roots, Present Practice, Future Forward.”
The event brought together a diverse and dynamic group of participants, including law students, academics, Ph.D. scholars, mediation practitioners, and certified trainers, making it a rich forum for interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange.
The conference offered a holistic exploration of:
- The historical roots of mediation within Indian traditions and community-based dispute resolution mechanisms.
- The present-day practice of mediation, including its challenges, evolving frameworks, and the influence of the Mediation Act, 2023.
- A future-forward approach to institutional mediation, Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), and capacity building through legal education and policy reforms.
- The cross-border dimensions of Alternative Dispute Resolution, particularly in the context of international commercial disputes, treaty-based mediation frameworks, and global cooperation.
- Discussion of landmark case laws that have shaped the jurisprudence and practice of mediation and ADR in India and globally, offering participants valuable legal insights.
A key highlight of the discussion was the evolving understanding of dispute resolution terminology. The panel emphasized that it is not merely an Alternate Dispute Resolution System but more accurately and meaningfully an Appropriate Method of Dispute Resolution. This shift in language reflects a growing recognition of mediation and similar methods as first-choice solutions in many contexts, rather than secondary or alternative processes.
Esteemed Panelists:
• Ms. Rukmani Menon – Mediator and Advocate
• Mr. Prasad Subbanna – Advocate and Mediator
• Ms. Meena Prasad Waghray – Mediator / Founder, Outofcourt.in
• Dr. Rajashree K – Principal, Soundarya College of Law
• Dr. Chetan Singai – Dean, School of Law, Chanakya University
• Mr. Mohit Mokal – Mediator / Founder, MMM
• Mr. Anubhav Banerjee – Principal Associate Mediator / Advocate, CAMP
• Mr. Dev Anand Kumar – Chief Legal Advisor
• Dr. Rhea Roy Mammen – Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Leiden University
• Mr. Akash Gupta – Associate Professor & Assistant Director, CADR, Jindal Law School.
A heartfelt thanks to the management of Soundarya College of Law for their unwavering support and encouragement in organizing such a thought-provoking and meaningful event. Their active involvement was instrumental in ensuring the success of this academic initiative.
Special thanks to Mr. Mohit Mokal and Dr. Chetan Singai for their collaborative spirit, insightful input, and enthusiastic engagement that helped make the conference a great success.
