The Commentary on the Mediation Act, 2023, authored by Advocate Nandini Gore and published by Mohan Law House released today, at a distinguished gathering attended by members of the Supreme Court, senior advocates, academics, and students.

The event was graced by Justice Suryakant, Justice K.V. Viswanathan, Judges of the Supreme Court of India, along with Professor (Dr.) C. Rajkumar, Vice-Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University.

Delivering his address as Chief Guest, Justice Suryakant, in his speech, called mediation “a mindset, not an alternative.” He reflected on the human and cultural roots of mediation in India, citing a 55-year-old family dispute in Mysuru that was resolved in a single day through mediation. He emphasised that the Mediation Act, 2023 shifts the justice system from adversarial wins and losses to settlements rooted in empathy, dignity, and creativity. Applauding Gore’s work, he described it as “an open invitation to lawyers, judges, policymakers, and citizens to embrace mediation as a transformative philosophy of justice.”

Justice K.V. Viswanathan commended Gore’s scholarship and described the book as a comprehensive and forward-looking analysis of India’s landmark mediation law. He noted that the Mediation Act, 2023 represents a transformative step in institutionalising mediation, providing both legitimacy and enforceability to the process. Highlighting India’s tradition of consensus-based conflict resolution, he urged the judiciary, bar, and academia to work together to mainstream mediation, reduce pendency, and enhance access to justice.

Prof. (Dr.) C. Rajkumar emphasised the urgent need to “take mediation seriously” and presented a 10-point action plan for institutionalising mediation in India. His roadmap included making pre-litigation mediation the default, empowering the Mediation Council of India, creating a national ODR infrastructure, building sector-specific mediation programmes, and embedding mediation into legal education. He noted that implementing these measures would reduce litigation backlogs, professionalise mediation, and place India on the global dispute resolution map.