The enactment of the Mediation Act, 2023 stands as a watershed moment in India’s legal evolution—marking the transition from fragmented, practice-based mediation efforts to a robust, structured, and statutory dispute resolution framework. Over the past two decades, India has witnessed an increasing judicial and institutional endorsement of mediation. Yet, what was lacking was a comprehensive legislative spine to support and regulate its practice. The Act now fills that void with clarity, purpose, and vision.
This commentary was conceptualized not only as a legal analysis but as a testament to the enduring relevance of mediation in a transforming society. With a clause-by-clause dissection of the Act, the commentary decodes legal language, interprets legislative intent, examines constitutional underpinnings, and brings to the fore comparative frameworks from global jurisdictions such as Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Each chapter seeks to demystify the principles of the Act while aligning them with practical applications in family, commercial, community, environmental, cross-border, and online disputes.
The commentary pays particular attention to new dimensions introduced by the Act: mandatory pre-litigation mediation, institutional frameworks, time-bound proceedings, enforceability of mediated settlement agreements, recognition of online and community mediation, creation of the Mediation Council of India, and amendments to multiple related legislations. The Act’s convergence with international instruments, especially the Singapore Convention on Mediation, has also been thoroughly explored.
This work is enriched by real-world examples, landmark judicial pronouncements, evolving standards of practice, and original policy recommendations. The volume also includes a dedicated section on the author’s formal suggestions to the Mediation Bill—some of which found their way into the final legislation—offering readers a rare glimpse into the consultative legislative process in India.
Through this Commentary, I seek to empower lawyers, judges, academicians, mediators, students, government officials, and policymakers with the necessary tools to engage meaningfully with the Mediation Act, 2023. The commentary not only explains the ‘letter of the law’ but also highlights its spirit—encouraging a shift in mindset from adversarial justice to collaborative conflict resolution.
