Govt Notifies Establishment Of Mediation Council of India To Strengthen Dispute Resolution Framework

New Delhi, Aug 29 (KNN) The Central Government has notified the establishment of the Mediation Council of India (MCI), with its head office in Delhi, under the Mediation Act, 2023. 

The Council is intended to promote and facilitate domestic and international mediation in India and strengthen the country’s mediation framework.

The Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice issued a gazette notification on August 27 under Section 31(1) of the Mediation Act.

Role and Composition

The Mediation Act, 2023 seeks to promote mediation, particularly institutional mediation, for resolving commercial and other disputes, facilitate enforcement of mediated settlement agreements and encourage community mediation.

The Council will be responsible for developing guidelines for mediation proceedings, registering and regulating mediators, and setting professional and ethical standards. It will also recognise mediation institutes and service providers and oversee their standards and functioning.

The Council will comprise a Chairperson appointed by the Centre, two members, two ex-officio members, a Member-Secretary and a part-time member. Members other than ex-officio members will generally serve four-year terms and will be eligible for reappointment, subject to the age limits prescribed under the Act.

Promoting India as Mediation Hub

The Council will work to develop India as a centre for domestic and international mediation. Its responsibilities will include establishing standards for the education, certification and assessment of mediators and conducting training programmes, workshops and courses in collaboration with mediation service providers, law firms, universities and other institutions.

It will also be empowered to enter into agreements with domestic and international organisations, publish research and data, and maintain an electronic repository of mediated settlement agreements and related records.

The Council will prepare reports on the implementation of the Mediation Act and submit them to the Central Government. It may also establish offices elsewhere in India and abroad in consultation with the Centre.

(KNN Bureau)