A group of experts in dispute resolution, judges, academics, and participants from around the world came together for the International Mediation Conclave-2024 in Hyderabad on Friday.
The event was organized by the School of Law at Mahindra University, in partnership with Lex Erudites and Grayspace Law and Consulting from Belgium. Justice B Prakash Rao, a former judge of the AP High Court, opened the conference. He stressed the importance of mediation as an essential part of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and called for a balance between mediation and the traditional judicial system.
Justice Rao also shared strategies for effective mediation. These included encouraging voluntary participation, raising awareness, advocating for mediation, building capacity, fostering teamwork, and ensuring proper implementation.
Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice-Chancellor of Mahindra University, welcomed everyone to the event. Prof. Bryan Clark from New Castle University in the UK talked about the valuable lessons that can be learned from the European Union’s approach to mediation. He expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Mahindra University in the future.
Sagar Singamsetty, the founder of Grayspace Law and Consulting, spoke about how mediation can be transformative in dealing with complex and international challenges. Professor V Balakista Reddy, Dean of the School of Law, highlighted the evolution of dispute settlement methods from institutional approaches to ADR and now to online dispute resolution (ODR). He emphasized that mediation is increasingly seen as a preferred way to resolve both domestic and international disputes.
The conclave began with a workshop on Thursday afternoon. Professor (Dr) Sheriff Elnegahy, Chief Judge of the Cairo Economic Affairs Court and Mediator of the Global Mediation Panel of the UN, delivered the keynote address.
