DNLU, MPSLSA Launch Certificate Course On Mediation At NALSA's West Zone Conference

The conference, themed "United Voices, Stronger Tomorrow: Advancing Access to Justice through Dialogue, Dignity & Inclusion," brought together judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, legal services functionaries, academicians and delegates from across the West Zone.

In his presidential address, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant emphasised that access to justice cannot be confined to procedural compliance but must be rooted in empathy and sensitivity towards the marginalised. Referring to Article 39A of the Constitution, he said legal aid should ensure that no citizen is denied justice because of economic or other disabilities. He described dialogue, dignity and inclusion as the practical foundations of an effective legal aid system and stressed that legal aid must be tailored to local realities, with institutions communicating in people's own languages and learning from communities.

Justice Surya Kant also highlighted the importance of mediation in preserving relationships and reducing litigation, while appreciating the efforts of Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court Justice Vivek Rusia in promoting mediation. He specifically lauded the joint initiative of DNLU and MPSLSA in launching the Certificate Course on Mediation and referred to paralegal volunteers as "Nyaya Sainik", urging them to continue serving society selflessly.

Justice Vikram Nath, Judge of the Supreme Court and Executive Chairman of NALSA, described the certificate course as a timely initiative that would strengthen institutional capacity for mediation and expand the pool of trained mediators. He also appreciated Justice Vivek Rusia's efforts in advancing the legal services movement and ensuring the successful conduct of the conference.

Addressing the gathering, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said India's long tradition of justice continues to evolve through technology-driven reforms, including e-filing, digital records, virtual hearings and modern judicial management. He linked these developments with the State's commitment to ensuring accessible and equitable justice for all.

Justice Vivek Rusia, in his welcome address, underscored access to justice, dignity and inclusiveness as the guiding principles of the legal services movement. He described paralegal volunteers as the backbone of the legal aid system and highlighted the importance of collaboration between courts, legal services institutions, mediation and community-based dispute resolution mechanisms.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal praised the initiatives and technological interventions unveiled during the conference and released Nyay Ke Swar, a compilation of artworks, poems and creative expressions inspired by the legal services movement. Justice Manmohan, Judge of the Supreme Court, also addressed the conference, highlighting mediation as an effective, people-centric mechanism for dispute resolution and formally launching the Justice for Children Fellowship Programme, a collaborative initiative of MPSLSA, UNICEF and National Law University Delhi.

A key highlight for DNLU was the formal opening of the admission portal for the three-month Certificate Course on Mediation, launched by Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, Judge of the Supreme Court, in the presence of DNLU Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha and MPSLSA Member Secretary Suman Shrivastava. The course, introduced pursuant to an MoU between DNLU and MPSLSA, aims to develop a skilled cadre of trained mediators and institutionalise mediation as an accessible mode of dispute resolution.