‘Mediation No Longer Alternative’: CJI Surya Kant Urges Wider Adoption To Reduce Court Pendency

Delivering the keynote address at a State-level symposium on “Mediation: Dialogue as Cornerstone of Justice” organised by the A.P. State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) in Vijayawada, the CJI said mediation is gaining wider acceptance as an effective tool for amicable dispute resolution. He noted that settlements reached through mediation are enforceable as decrees under the 2023 legislation, reinforcing its legitimacy within the justice delivery system.

Justice Surya Kant observed that mediation is no longer merely an alternative mechanism but an integral part of dispute resolution, capable of significantly easing the burden on conventional courts. He pointed out that while special courts, such as family courts, have helped reduce pendency to some extent, mediation can further streamline caseloads by resolving disputes in a less adversarial manner. Compared to arbitration, mediation is less expensive and less time-consuming, he added, noting its popularity in foreign jurisdictions.

Calling upon both the Bench and the Bar to actively promote mediation, the CJI emphasised that the temperament, conduct and integrity of mediators are crucial to successful outcomes. Stressing the importance of professional training, he said mediators must understand the nuances of the process to achieve meaningful settlements. Referring to Indian mythology, he remarked that Lord Krishna’s attempt to broker peace before the Mahabharata war could be seen as an early example of mediation, underscoring the longstanding cultural roots of dialogue-based resolution.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who felicitated the CJI at the event, highlighted the State’s land pooling model for Amaravati as an example of consensus-building. He said 29,000 farmers had voluntarily contributed 33,000 acres for the capital city’s development through dialogue and agreement. From a mediation perspective, he said, the episode demonstrated the power of consensus over confrontation.

Naidu also requested the CJI to consider establishing the National Judicial Academy in Amaravati and offered land in the proposed “Justice City” for reputed legal institutions willing to set up campuses in the greenfield capital. Announcing policy support for mediation, the Chief Minister increased the incentive for successful mediation from ₹3,000 to ₹10,000 and agreed to provide ₹3,000 even for unsuccessful mediation efforts, following a request from Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur.

Supreme Court judges J.K. Maheswari, P.S. Narasimha, Prashant Kumar Mishra and S.V.N. Bhatti were among those present at the symposium.

Notably, in December 2025, the CJI had outlined a vision for India’s courts to evolve into “multi-door courthouses”, where litigation is no longer the default route and courts function as comprehensive centres for dispute resolution. Addressing the inaugural session of the Bar Council of India’s National Conference and Symposium on Mediation in South Goa, the CJI had said courts must offer multiple pathways including mediation, arbitration and, where necessary, adjudication, depending on the nature of the dispute. “As we look towards the horizon, I envision a transition towards the multi-door courthouse. The court should not remain a singular venue for trials, but become a comprehensive centre for dispute resolution,” he said. Stressing that mediation can play a critical role in reducing judicial pendency, Justice Kant had said its growing acceptance should not be seen as a weakness of the legal system. “Mediation is not a sign of the law’s weakness, but its highest evolution,” he had observed.

CJI Kant had previously, had said mediation is increasingly gaining acceptance as a successful, cost-effective and mutually beneficial mechanism for dispute resolution, emphasising that it offers a “win-win” outcome for all parties involved. The CJI was speaking to reporters after participating in a symbolic walk for Mediation Awareness near Kala Academy in Panaji, Goa. The event formed part of a broader outreach initiative aimed at promoting mediation as a preferred mode of dispute resolution across the country.

“Mediation is being accepted as successful and cost-effective. It is a win-win situation for both parties because it results in a settlement,” Justice Kant had said. Highlighting the voluntary nature of mediation, the Chief Justice underscored that mediators do not impose outcomes on disputing parties. “In mediation, no mediator will impose anything on any party. It is only what the parties desire or agree to that forms the settlement,” he had explained.