CJI Surya Kant stated, “Justice delayed is not only justice denied but it is justice destroyed.” He made these remarks at the Fali Nariman memorial lecture and during a felicitation program organized by the Bombay High Court.
The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, said many cases can be resolved without lengthy trials through mediation and settlements. He stressed that faster, time-bound justice and meaningful outcomes must replace endless court processes.
A Supreme Court judge said mediation can become widely accepted in India only if people change their mindset and trust the process at the grassroots level. He stressed that mediation must work parallel to courts and should not be confused with arbitration.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will lead a ‘Mediation Awareness Walk’ in Panaji, Goa, on December 26 to promote mediation as a people-centric dispute resolution method. He will also participate in a two-day national conference and symposium on mediation organised by the Bar Council of India.
The Supreme Court hailed Justice Kurian Joseph’s “extraordinary artistry” in mediation after he resolved a 27-year-old property dispute. The landmark settlement showcases mediation’s rising power in ending long-running legal battles.
Ahead of taking oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant said social media trolls do not influence judges who decide only on facts and law. He reaffirmed his focus on reducing case pendency and strengthening mediation as a key reform tool.
Incoming CJI Surya Kant has said clearing pendency of cases and promoting mediation will be his top priorities. He called the 90,000 pending Supreme Court cases his “first and foremost challenge” and stressed mediation as a powerful solution.
Justice Manmohan of the Supreme Court said, “Courts must support arbitration, not act as a barrier,” while urging Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal at the IDRC Conclave 2025 to reconsider the Finance Ministry’s directive restricting arbitration in disputes above Rs 10 crore.
CJI BR Gavai stressed that mediation and dialogue can turn conflicts into opportunities for growth and harmony, citing the importance of the Mediation Act, 2023. Speaking at the National Mediation Conference in Bhubaneswar, he underlined the role of mediation in reducing case pendency and building trust in justice delivery.
CJI B R Gavai stressed that litigation alone cannot deliver justice and urged wider use of legal aid and mediation. With 5.36 crore cases pending, SCBA president Vikas Singh said mediation could drastically reduce India’s backlog.
