CJI Khanna also stressed that mediation is not about simple right and wrong but about understanding the complexities of a situation.
On Saturday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna addressed the first National Mediation Conference of 2025 and stressed the importance of mediation as an effective and wise alternative to traditional courtroom battles.
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The event also marked the launch of the Mediation Association of India, which aims to institutionalize and promote mediation as a primary method for resolving disputes across the country.
CJI Khanna acknowledged the growing role of mediation in resolving disputes, especially over the last two decades. Between 2016 and early 2025, an impressive 7.57 lakh cases were settled through mediation. However, he pointed out that mediation has not yet reached rural India and that there is a need to raise awareness about its benefits.
He remarked, “Our goal must be to show every litigant, every citizen, every businessman, every person, that mediation is not a lesser form of justice but a wiser form of it.”
The CJI further explained that mediation offers a more comprehensive and humane approach to resolving conflicts compared to courtroom adjudication, where one party often wins and the other loses. Mediation, he said, not only settles the legal issues but also works to heal relationships, making it a better solution for long-term peace.
He emphasized, “Court litigation and adjudication are, in a way, grim and shallow. At times, the root cause remains unaddressed and the ailment and bane remain. The relationships are strained, if not broken. There is a winner, there is a loser. Mediation does the opposite. It seeks to identify and remedy the root cause. It goes deeper into the issue, the cause of the misunderstanding. It addresses the primordial and underlying concerns that are the cause of the dispute. It allows a more holistic solution that not only resolves the legal issue but goes beyond that. It heals and restores the relationship. This is true justice – not coerced and forced by what third parties dictate.”
CJI Khanna also stressed that mediation is not about simple right and wrong but about understanding the complexities of a situation.
“Often disputes exist in shades of grey where the personal or commercial frictions do not always arise from one side being wrong, but also from misunderstandings. In many cases, both are at fault, though degrees may vary. Mediation offers space for undoing complexities. It does not involve legal and procedural complexities. It is flexible and personalised, not bound by rigid procedures,” he said.
The Mediation Association of India, launched at this event, is a national-level body dedicated to promoting mediation as a key form of dispute resolution. The Association aims to bring together various stakeholders such as professional mediators, mediation trainers, lawyers, civil society organizations, and businesses to create a vibrant mediation ecosystem.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including President of India Droupadi Murmu, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Supreme Court Judge Justice BR Gavai, Attorney General R Venkataramani, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
President Murmu highlighted India’s long tradition of alternative dispute resolution, stating,
“India has a long and rich tradition of judicial mechanisms, in which out-of-court settlements were more of a norm. The institution of Panchayat was legendary for fostering such amicable settlements. The aim was not just to resolve disputes, but remove any lingering bitterness. It was a pillar of social harmony for us. Unfortunately, colonial rulers ignored this exemplary legacy when they imposed an alien legal system on us.”
She pointed out that while colonial laws did allow for out-of-court settlements or mediation, they lacked a supporting institutional framework.
She praised the new Mediation Act for addressing this gap, stating, “The new Mediation Act bridges this legal gap and will form the foundation for a vibrant and effective mediation eco system in India.” She also emphasized the importance of promoting mediation in rural areas, noting, “Many disputes which should end in villages come to court.”
Justice BR Gavai also spoke at the event and emphasized the need for law schools to equip students with the skills necessary for effective mediation.
He said, “Mediation is a human process that requires active listening, emotional intelligence. These are skills that cannot be acquired solely by textbooks. They must be cultivated by experimental learning, role plays and hands-on learning. Legal education must prepare students not just to argue cases, but to understand how to manage conflict without trying to dominate or control, to help resolve disputes in a manner that preserves relationships and dignity.” Justice Gavai added that mediation should become an essential part of the dispute resolution culture, rather than something considered after all other options have been exhausted. “It is only then that India can unlock the true potential of the Mediation Act, 2023,” he said.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal took the opportunity to remind the audience of the deep roots of mediation in Indian culture.
He shared, “Every dispute begins with mediation. During Ramayan, Angad was mediator. Lord Krishna was the mediator during Mahabharat… Today we have a mediation law as there was no standalone law for mediation in the country.”
Attorney General R Venkataramani, speaking at the event, expressed hope that May 3 could one day be celebrated as National Mediation Day.
He said, “Today’s event is a small beginning. People from across the country are here today. It is like a great temple bell, awakening us to a great day. I also wish to see the day when India would soon be the headquarters of a Global Mediation Association.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted the role that the Mediation Association could play in promoting faster and more flexible methods of resolving disputes, especially in smaller cases and labor disputes.
He noted, “The Mediation Association could play a crucial role in promoting faster and more flexible methods of dispute resolution, particularly in smaller cases or labour disputes that should ideally first be mediated.”
