Date: 9 – 10th January 2021

Guest Speakers: (1) Ms. Veena Ralli, Advocate and Organising Secretary, ‘Samadhan -Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre’,

                              (2) Mr. J.P. Sengh, Senior Advocate and Member, ‘Samadhan -Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre’.

Keeping up with its tradition of holding student-centric workshops and seminars that would provide them with a professional edge over others, the ADR Cell of University School Of Law And Legal Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, organised a Mediation Workshop on the 9th and 10th of January 2021, using the virtual meeting platform, Zoom.

The event was inaugurated on 9th January 2021, by a welcome address delivered by Prof. (Dr.) AP Singh, Dean, USLLS. Prof. Singh spoke about the overall success of our Indian democratic system, minus some hiccups, and emphasised the importance of the functions of the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. He also very eloquently highlighted the workload which our courts have come to receive overtime which has led to the relative detriment to the justice serving mechanism of the country. He ended by emphasising the importance of mediation in serving equitable and speedy justice, which in turn ensures the smooth functioning of democracy.

The guest speakers of the workshop were Ms. Veena Ralli and Mr. J.P. Sengh. Ms. Veena Ralli is the Organizing Secretary of ‘Samadhan’- Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre. Ma’am is also an internationally decorated mediator. Mr. J.P. Sengh is a Senior Advocate and a Member of the Overseeing Committee of Samadhan.

In a comprehensive session that lasted for two hours, the guest trainers introduced the concept of alternate dispute resolution and other various, related themes. Describing ADR as a quick and accommodating service, they highlighted the growing importance of the field and the need for young law graduates to have the requisite skills of a mediator and arbitrator. It was brought to the notice of the students that mediation is an ancient concept that has enjoyed the likes of the great epics, Ramayan and Mahabharat. Discussing the legalese of mediation, the speakers emphasised Section 89 of CPC. They further enunciated the judicial approach to mediation which was defined in the landmark case of Afcons Infrastructure Ltd. & Anr. vs. Cherian Varkey Constructions Co. Pvt Ltd.

‘Understanding Conflict’ was taken as a major topic. The speakers broke down the famous definition of conflict given by Joyce Hocker and William Wilmot and explained its various components. The various techniques of dispute redressal systems were also explained. A comparison was drawn between the court system and the mediation system. The students were made aware of how mediation promises to give a humane colour to negotiations and guarantees flexibility, a timely resolution that keeps the needs of both the parties in mind and the confidentiality element it also brings along.

On 10^th January 2021, the second and final session of the mediation workshop was conducted as per schedule. The session commenced with a quick recapitulation from Day 1 regarding the process of mediation, its importance and factors as well as the reason for conflicts and their resolution.

On the second day, the speakers focused on discussing and understanding the need for negotiation and communication in the complex process of mediation. They explained all important concepts through examples and anecdotes. Mr. Sengh introduced the participants to the term ‘negotiation’, and how it is a process through which two parties, with different needs, desire and attempt to achieve a common goal. He also emphasised the fact how the process assists the parties in building relationships or avoids causing further damage to their relationship, even if the negotiation fails to reach a common consensus.

The trainer duo, through a very interesting sketch, introduced the participants to the different types and kinds of negotiators. The second half of the day highlighted the topic ‘communicate to negotiate’ and the importance of communication in the mediation process. The participants were taught the essence of communication and what this commonly used term really means. The session elaborated upon various aspects of the communication process and the journey that the message being communicated undertakes. Mr. Sengh actively focused on highlighting the difference between listening and hearing and what it means to be a good listener.

Towards the end of the workshop, Ms. Ralli touched upon the factor of conflict arising in the process of communication and very beautifully stated that the correct tone of voice and the correct means of communication can lower the chances of a conflict.

To keep the workshop lively and to answer any questions that the students may have had, the last twenty minutes of both the days of the workshop were devoted by the speakers to a live question-answer session, wherein a lot of creative questions were answered.

The session came to an end on a promising note when the possibility of conducting a 40-hour training session was deliberated. The event ended with the kind words of Dr. Vandana Singh and a formal vote of thanks offered by Dr. Zubair Ahmed Khan.

This first-of-its-kind workshop attracted the participation of over 200 students on both days, making it well received and successful.

Student Coordinators: Ms. Kanupriya Chawla, Batch of 2022 and Mr. Samarth Luthra, Batch of 2023.

Reported by: Ms. Angela Arora, Batch of 2025 and Ms. Ishikaa Seth, Batch of 2025.