President bats for mediation as a dispute resolution tool

Kovind flags reluctance among judiciary to adopt mediation, lack of trained mediators

President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates a two-day National Judicial Conference on Mediation and Information Technology, being organised by the Gujarat High Court, at Ekta Nagar in Narmada district. Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and others are also seen. | Photo Credit: PTI

President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday advocated the concept of mediation in the judicial process and said it is yet to find widespread acceptance due to certain bottlenecks, adding that all stakeholders should display a positive attitude to achieve the desired result. 

The President added that through mediation, all stakeholders are in win-win situation. “Truly speaking, in mediation, everyone is a winner. Having said that, one has to admit that the concept is yet to find widespread acceptance across the country. Not enough trained mediators are available at some places. Infrastructural facilities at many mediation centres badly need upgradation,” he said.

Addressing the two-day National Judicial Conference on Mediation and Information Technology organised at Kevadia in Gujarat, Mr. Kovind the misconception among lawyers about mediation being a “threat to their profession” has largely been removed in the last two decades. All stakeholders have recognised mediation as “an effective tool for dispute resolution,” he added.

The President also praised the Apex Court’s mediation and conciliation project commission which has started imparting training to the stakeholders for effective use of mediation tool for dispute resolution. 

Impact of ICT

The President added the topmost objective of switching the justice delivery system to information and communication technology (ICT) should be for improvement of access to justice and justice delivery.

“I would add that among many objectives of the switch to ICT, the topmost has to be the improvement of access to justice. What we are aiming at is not change for sake of change, but change for the sake of a better world,” he said. He added that the digital revolution during the pandemic has pushed for wider usage of ICT in the delivery of various services including in the judiciary. 

The two-day conference is being attended by the Chief Justice of India, the Union Law and Justice Minister, Gujarat Governor and CM and others. 

The President is also scheduled to visit the Somnath temple in Saurashtra.