Bachpan Ka Sffer: A Child-Centric Discussion On Custody Disputes [25th March]

The Symposium will consist of four panels.

• Parental Alienation (Topics to Consider: What is parental alienation? How does it affect a child in the near and long term? How to recognize parental alienation and how to mitigate it? How does alienation impact legal evaluations of the best interests of the child?)
• Effects of Prolonged Custody Disputes on Children (Topics to Consider: What are the psychological and developmental impacts of prolonged custody disputes on children? How can courts take action to minimize adverse effects on children? What mechanisms are available to identify harm to a child and offer relief? In cases of joint custody, what are the effects on children living in two different households?)
• Global Best Practices for Litigating Family Disputes (Topics to Consider: How can India adopt/adapt global best practices to meet the needs of children? What are the best practices for resolving nonconsensual International Child Removal? Can practices such as the use of Guardians ad Litem provide increased consideration of the needs of a child in court proceedings? Should compulsory therapy for such children be considered?)
• Mediation (Topics to Consider: How would the new bill, if passed, apply to custody disputes? Can mediation be used to more swiftly reach resolutions than traditional means? Would a cadre of specialized mediators versed in family law be needed? What existing mediation mechanisms are available to families now?)

Panelists and moderators for each panel will be experts in their profession specializing in law, psychology, or public service.

The symposium is open to students, professors, practicing attorneys, sitting judges, civil servants, and child welfare advocates.

Schedule of Events

10:00 AM:  Welcome:

CDA Ambassador Elizabeth Jones

Mr. S. P. Singh Baghel, Law Minister for State, Govt. of India

Ms. Michelle Bernier-Toth, Special Advisor for Children's Issues in the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Dr. Pinky Anand, Senior Advocate & Former Additional Solicitor General-India

Ms. Saudamini Sharma, Advocate to moderate the Sessions

10:15 AM Session 1: Parental Alienation (45 minutes)

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Delhi High Court

Ms. Geeta Luthra, Senior Advocate.

Mr. Utkarsh Anand Legal Editor, Hindustan Times

Mr. Prabhjit Jauhar, Advocate

Ms. Khushbu Sundar- Member-National Commission for Women

11:00 AM Session 2: Effects of Prolonged Custody Disputes on Children (45 minutes)

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Hemant Gupta, Former Justice Supreme Court of India

Justice Mini Pushkarna, High Court of Delhi

Dr. Pinky Anand, Senior Advocate & Former Additional Solicitor General-India

Dr. Aruna Broota, Psychologist

Ms. Aneesha Mathur, Sr. Special Correspondent India Today

11:45 AM High Tea and Networking (30 minutes)

12:15 PM Session 3: Global Best Practices for Litigating Family Disputes (45 minutes)

Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Hon’ble Law Minister for State, Govt. of India

Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, Additional Secretary

Mr. Vikramjit Banerjee, Additional Solicitor General-India,

Ms. Mrunalini Deshmukh, Advocate

Mr. Ranjit Malhotra, Advocate

Mr. Attin Shankar Rastogi, Advocate

1:00 PM Session 4: Mediation (45 minutes)

Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri, Former Justice Supreme Court of India

Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju, High Court of Delhi.

Mr. Amarjit Singh Chandhiok, Senior Advocate

Mr. Prosenjeet Banerjee, Advocate

1:45 PM Closing Remarks:

Arjan Kumar Sikri, Former Justice Supreme Court of India

Dr. Pinky Anand, Senior Advocate & Former Additional Solicitor General-India.

Ms. Michelle Bernier-Toth, Special Advisor for Children's Issues in the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Credits to Law Schools & Schools:

Credits to organizing committee:

Photograph Session