आलाहाबाद हाई कोर्ट ने लंबित मामलों के निपटारे हेतु मध्यस्थता अभियान शुरू, दिसंबर तक जारी

Allahabad High Court opens mediation drive for pending disputes till December

The Allahabad High Court and its Lucknow bench are urging litigants to opt for mediation during the ongoing campaign. The push could speed up settlements, cut legal costs and reduce pressure on courts.

Litigants with cases pending before the Allahabad High Court, its Lucknow bench and subordinate courts can seek to settle their disputes through mediation under the ongoing "Mediation for the Nation 3.0" campaign, Registrar (Mediation) Bhagirath Verma said on Thursday.

The campaign began on October 1 and will continue till December 31, giving parties a chance to resolve disputes amicably without going through prolonged litigation. Verma said litigants can come forward for mediation and explore the possibility of a settlement.

Parties to cases pending before subordinate courts can approach the District Legal Services Authority operating from the civil court campus in the district concerned. Those with matters pending before the Allahabad High Court in Prayagraj or its Lucknow bench can approach the High Court Legal Services Committee in Prayagraj or its sub-committee in Lucknow, Verma said.

Litigants can also ask their advocates to explore whether their cases can be referred to mediation. In suitable matters, the court may send a dispute for mediation. Once a case is referred, a neutral mediator helps the parties hold discussions and work towards a mutually acceptable settlement. "The mediator does not decide the dispute or impose a solution on the parties," Verma told PTI.

Verma said mediation is conducted by trained and empanelled mediators. At the Allahabad High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, the mediators include experienced advocates who have undergone specialised training in mediation. Under the Mediation Act, 2023, the mediation centre concerned appoints a mediator from its panel through the prescribed procedure. There are 255 trained mediators at the Allahabad High Court and 68 at its Lucknow bench. Besides, around 1,700 trained mediators are serving in districts across Uttar Pradesh, he added.

The campaign covers 15 categories of disputes considered suitable for mediation. These include matrimonial and family disputes, motor accident claim cases, cheque-bounce matters, compoundable criminal cases, consumer disputes, debt recovery and SARFAESI matters, execution proceedings, arbitration disputes, commercial disputes, service matters, partition cases, eviction matters, land acquisition cases and labour disputes, along with other civil matters where settlement is legally permissible.

Justice Rajan Roy, chairman of the mediation committee at the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench, told PTI that mediation gives litigants greater control over the outcome of their disputes. Unlike conventional adjudication, where a court decides the rights of parties after hearing them, mediation allows the parties to negotiate the terms of settlement with the help of a neutral mediator. Justice Roy said this can save considerable time, expense and stress, while also reducing the burden on courts. A mutually agreed settlement can also help preserve relationships and resolve connected disputes, he said.

The campaign is an initiative of the Supreme Court and has already produced substantial results in Uttar Pradesh. As it continues till the end of December, litigants before the Allahabad High Court, its Lucknow bench and subordinate courts have the option of seeking a negotiated settlement through mediation.

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