BCI Notifies Mediation With Conciliation As Compulsory Subject For LLB Courses Wef Academic Session 2020-21 [Read Letter]

It is intimated that the subject shall be a "45 hours course component", mandatory for 3 year and 5 year course/s, both for Honours degree and the non-Honours one.

The Council has emphasized on the need to train students in the "art" of Mediation and Conciliation to pave the way for reforms in the Indian Legal System, including reduction of burden on courts and quick and efficacious resolution being agreed upon by parties in disputes having varied points of conflict.

It is cautioned therefore that the teachers for such programs must be rained adequately.

"The qualification of teachers required to teach Mediation with Conciliation shall be decided by the Bar Council of India in consultation with any authority/institution as it may deem fit including U.G.C. For the moment, applications may be invited from the lawyers having at least 10 years of practice with theoretical knowledge and practical experience in these subjects, inclusive of trained Mediators/Conciliators, and from persons having 2- years LL.M Degrees in these subjects," a letter addressed by the BCI to the Vice Chancellors of all such Universities issuing LL.B Degrees stipulates.

Syllabus and the weekly course schedule for the subject, as recommended by the BCI may be accessed in the letter attached below.

The move comes in the backdrop of suspended court functioning amid the pandemic, which brought Mediation as a tool for conflict resolution has come to the fore.

"Mediation and Conciliation has been seen to lead to resolutions without undergoing arduous trials and moreover resolutions/solutions are arrived at, at a relatively lesser time.

The Hon'ble Chief Justice of India is also keen that the art of Mediation is taught to LL.B students as it will go a long way in reducing the backlog and flood of cases. With litigants, students and Lawyers being more aware and keen about Mediation, this will be looked upon more as an option instead of filing suits/cases straight away," the BCI said.

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[Read Letter]