CJI Khanna advocates mediation as preferred mode of dispute resolution

Noting that not all disputes were suited for courtrooms and litigation, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday advocated mediation as a preferred mode of dispute resolution as it offered creative solutions and strengthened relationships.

As a mode of dispute resolution, mediation opened doors to creative solutions beyond simple yes or no answers, the CJI said, addressing the third convocation of the Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur. “Just as problems cannot be fixed into boxes, neither can their solutions. As our problems keep becoming more dynamic, the need for their solutions has to be more flexible. The road to justice itself cannot be a hurdle to achieve it,” he said.

He advised the students to maintain self-discipline and work hard. “Hard work – yes, I know, it might sound boring and repetitive to all of you…Maybe even a bit old-fashioned in today’s world of ‘10 tops to succeed’ or ‘how-guides’. But the long and short of it is that it is absolutely non-negotiable. No matter how talented or even connected you are, nothing replaces the effort of showing up, day after day. And putting in the work,” the CJI said.