NALSA Launches Pilot Project “Community Mediation: Towards A Litigation-Free Rural India” In Baghpat

The programme was inaugurated by Justice Vikram Nath, Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman of NALSA, in the presence of officials of NALSA and UPSLSA, judicial officers, district administration officials, members of the Bar, mediators, para-legal volunteers and local residents.

As part of the initiative, six villages in Baghpat district have been identified for pilot implementation.

Delivering the inaugural address, Justice Vikram Nath observed that many local disputes—such as family disagreements, neighbourhood conflicts and land-related issues—can often be resolved more effectively through structured community dialogue rather than prolonged adversarial proceedings.

Highlighting the statutory recognition of mediation under the Mediation Act, 2023, he noted that community mediation revives India's long-standing tradition of resolving disputes through collective wisdom, while ensuring confidentiality, neutrality and fairness under modern legal safeguards.

He further explained that under the initiative, NALSA and the District Legal Services Authority will identify and train respected members of the community—including retired teachers, elders, social workers and other public-spirited individuals—in negotiation, active listening and neutrality. These trained individuals will serve as trusted facilitators between the formal legal system and local communities.

Justice Vikram Nath stated that the long-term objective of the initiative is to build socially resilient rural communities capable of resolving disputes at the earliest stage.

The pilot project in Baghpat is expected to serve as a model for wider implementation across rural India, reinforcing NALSA's commitment to ensuring access to justice for all through community-centred dispute resolution mechanisms.