40-Hour Mediation Training and Conflict Management Programme

The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Cell of University School of Law and Legal Studies organized a Felicitation Ceremony on 7^th May 2026 to honour and recognize the outstanding achievements of students in various National and International Mediation and Negotiation Competitions conducted during the academic year 2025–26.

The ceremony was graced by Dr. Zubair A. Khan, the Dean of USLLS, Prof. Shivani Goswami and Prof. Dr. Vandana Singh who felicitated and congratulated the students for their remarkable accomplishments in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution. The dignitaries appreciated the dedication, advocacy skills, and commitment displayed by the participants, noting that such achievements contribute significantly to the academic and professional reputation of the institution.

The following students were felicitated for their achievements:

1. Lex Pax Mediation Competition 1.0 by Woxsen University (11^th–12^th July 2025)

• Ashika Chauhan and Ayas Kumar Rungta (Best Negotiating Pair (Preliminary Rounds))
• Deeksha Saini (Best Mediator)

2. SAMAHAR – The First-Ever Mediation and Negotiation Competition by National Law University Delhi (13^th–14^th September 2025)

• Deeksha Saini (Best Mediation Plan)

3. 1st Arun Jaitley National ADR Competition conducted by Faculty of Law, University of Delhi (26^th–27^th September & 4^th–5^th October 2025)

• Aanya Mitra (Runner-Up Mediator)

4. 1st Jamia National Mediation Competition conducted by Jamia Millia Islamia (13^th–15^th February 2026)

• Deeksha Saini (Runner-Up Mediator)

5. Parul International Mediation Competition 2026 conducted by Parul University

• Deeksha Saini (Best Mediator)

6. Dr. Lalit Bhasin 1st International Mediation Competition 2026

• Ved Mishra, Deeksha Saini, and Rashi Solanki (Best Team)

During the ceremony, the dignitaries encouraged students to continue excelling in ADR-related activities and emphasized the growing importance of mediation and negotiation in the contemporary legal landscape. The ceremony concluded with words of appreciation for the participants, faculty support, and the efforts of the ADR Cell in fostering a culture of dispute resolution and professional excellence among students.

Highlights of the Programme

• Day 1: The inaugural ceremony was led by Prof. (Dr.) Queeny Pradhan (Dean, USLLS) and Prof. (Dr.) Vandana Singh, who emphasised the importance of equipping young legal minds with mediation skills. The day’s sessions introduced the philosophy, growth, and relevance of mediation in today’s world, setting a strong conceptual foundation for the training, including ADR mechanisms and Sec 89 CPC.
  
  
• Day 2: The second day immersed participants in the six stages of mediation, from the mediator’s opening statement to information gathering, agenda-setting, option generation, evaluation, and agreement. Through guided role plays, they practiced handling each stage, gaining insight into the roles of mediators, lawyers, and parties.
  
  
• Day 3: Participants explored advanced communication techniques such as active listening, paraphrasing, summarising, and questioning, along with the subtle art of reading body language. Tools like BATNA, WATNA and reality testing, while exercises in lateral thinking and mediation advocacy reinforced that effective mediation is about listening as much as guiding.
  
  
• Day 4: The emphasis turned to negotiation; the foundation of mediation. Participants distinguished between positional, distributive, interest-based, and integrative negotiation styles. Case scenarios and practice sessions encouraged participants to look beyond rigid positions, identify underlying interests, and develop solutions that were practical and acceptable to all parties involved.
  
  
• Day 5: The final day concentrated on handling impasses and drafting settlements. Participants explored the causes of deadlock, methods to restore trust, and the techniques to guide parties out of impasse. Ethical concerns in mediation were discussed, underscoring the mediator’s responsibility to maintain trust and impartiality. The programme concluded with the valedictory ceremony and certificate distribution, celebrating the learning journey of all participants.