LLB Students to be Taught Mediation from 2020

Law students enrolled in three years or five years undergraduate course will be taught mediation, an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) from the academic session of 2020-21. This is aimed at opening new avenues for aspiring lawyers who have only had the options of litigation and corporate practice so far. Manan Kumar Mishra, the Chairman of Bar Council of India (BCI) claims that the top disciplinary body for lawyers is in discussion with the apex experts in the field of mediation. He further says that they are in deliberations to prepare the curriculum. At a felicitation programme organised by BCI for Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, Mishra confirmed that the council was considering senior advocate Sriram Panchu, a legend in the field of mediation.

BCI recognised CJI Bobde’s suggestion and initiated the process to introduce mediation to the students pursuing law at the college level. At present, the training of mediation is only being imparted to the practising lawyers by either the Supreme Court or High Court. Some colleges also offer short-term courses in mediation.

ADR has emerged as a successful mechanism for matrimonial, corporate and property disputes. CJI Bobde considers that mediation is a better mechanism than litigation. CJI adds that the qualifying mediation bar will not only help lawyers in contributing to the justice delivery system but will also satisfy their monetary needs. Senior advocate Sriram Panchu believes that mediation training has the potential of benefitting the aspiring lawyers. It will help them in dealing with situations in a better way.

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The introduction of mediation will help the profession efficiently. It will also open up more career paths for aspiring lawyers who generally have to pick between corporate practice and litigation.