TSLSA: 3 Days Programme On “Art Of Mediation And Negotiation In Alternative Disputes Resolution Process, Concept And Techniques Of Mediation”

Date: 01.05.2023 to 03.05.2023

Venue: Kanha Shantivanam, Meditation Centre, Chegur, Ranga Reddy District

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, chief Justice of High Court of Telangana & Patron-in-Chief, Telangana State Legal Services Authority inaugurated the programme on Monday in the august presence of Justice L. Nageswara Rao, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India and Justice P.Naveen Rao, Judge, High Court of Telangana and Executive Chairman, Telangana State Legal Services Authority. Sri George Lim, Chairman, Singapore International Mediation Centre participated virtually.

In the said Programme, Hon’ble companion Judges of High Court for the State of Telangana, Registrar General and all other Registrars of the High Court of Telangana, the Member Secretary, Telangana State Legal Services Authority, the Director, Telangana State Judicial Academy, also participated. All the Judicial Officers in the State participated through virtual mode.

In the Inaugural Session the Chief Justice, High Court for the State of Telangana observed that Mediation was one of the best alternative dispute resolution systems and there was a need to lay a solid foundation for problem solving. The Chief Justice further referred to the 1970s magazine named “Illustrated weekly of India”, which depicted the image of a lady carrying 17 bricks, and the caption read “17 bricks and still she could smile, that is power of Fun Job”. Putting this in the present context case lead in the courts he said, “if we add few more bricks, she might not smile, perhaps collapse. We need to understand that every system has a capacity to work, so we have to look at alternatives for providing access to Justice and resolution of disputes and that is where mediation comes into picture. If we have a case in the court, it is a Right Based Approach, if we go outside the court, it is an Interest based Approach. Unlike court settlement, Mediation provides comprehensive settlement”, he said.

Justice L. Nageswara Rao, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India addressing the Judges at the Inaugural Session said that illusions like judges could work overtime and reduce more than ten lakh cases pending in all the courts in the state of Telangana could not be nurtured. He emphasised the only solution was to apply alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation in a massive way.

Justice P.Naveen Rao, Judge, High Court for the State of Telangana who is also the Executive Chairman, Telangana State Legal Services Authority informed that Mediation in varying forms existed in India since time immemorial. The magnum opus epic ‘Mahabharata’ actually illustrated an example of early attempt at mediation as a conflict resolution tool where Lord Krishna attempted to mediate the dispute between the Pandavas and Kauravas and it was worthwhile to recall the failure of such mediation which led to disastrous consequences. He also spoke about the Panchayats and how they resolve disputes between the parties where the elders of the villages or the Mahajans were appointed as Mediators. Even today, Panchayats or Panch Parmeshwars as neutral third party were being used to settle disputes informally between the rival individuals or groups in some tribal communities. He stressed that endeavour should be made to reduce the pendency through the Mediation process.

George Lim, Chairman, Singapore International Mediation Centre participated virtually and stated that billion-dollar disputes could be settled through the Mediation Process.

After the Inaugural Session, the practitioners of Kanha Shanti Vanam Meditation centre enlightened the Judges of High Court for the State of Telangana about the Meditation Skills and the benefits of Meditation.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, Judge, High Court of Delhi, Ms.Veena Ralli, Master Trainer and Mr. J.P. Sengh, Master Trainer from SAMADHAN, Delhi High Court were also present come to share skills of mediation with Judges.