RSLSA Becomes First State Legal Services Authority To Train Former Judges As Accredited Mediators

The initiative was undertaken under the leadership of Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court and Executive Chairman of RSLSA. The programme sought to utilise the vast judicial experience of retired judges and integrate it into the country's evolving mediation ecosystem.

The training programme was conceptualised and executed under the guidance of Shri Hari Om Attri, Member Secretary, RSLSA.

The inaugural session was attended by Justice Inderjeet Singh, Judge, Rajasthan High Court and Chairman, Rajasthan High Court Legal Services Committee, Jaipur. The event was also attended by former judges, Registrar General of the Rajasthan High Court Shri Chanchal Mishra, officers of the Registry and RSLSA, Secretaries of District Legal Services Authorities, and trainers from the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee (MCPC), Supreme Court of India, including Ms. Anuja and Mr. Aman M. Hingorani.

Welcoming the participants, Shri Hari Om Attri described the programme as a landmark institutional initiative aimed at strengthening mediation as an effective and sustainable dispute-resolution mechanism. He observed that former judges possess legal expertise, judicial temperament, practical wisdom and balanced decision-making skills that make them well suited for the role of mediators.

He further stated that the programme was conceived in furtherance of the vision discussed during the One-Day National Conference held on April 25, 2026, at the Constitution Club of Rajasthan, Jaipur, on the theme “The Bench Beyond Retirement: Role of Retired Judges in Advancement of ADR and Awareness of Laws for Common Masses.” According to him, the present initiative translates that vision into practice by equipping retired judges with specialised mediation skills and contemporary dispute-resolution techniques.

Addressing the gathering, Justice Inderjeet Singh highlighted the increasing importance of mediation in modern justice-delivery systems. He observed that consensual dispute resolution plays a crucial role in ensuring timely and meaningful justice and noted that mediation helps preserve relationships, reduce conflict and promote sustainable settlements. His Lordship also emphasised that former judges, because of their experience, neutrality and maturity, can significantly contribute to strengthening the mediation movement in the country.

The programme witnessed participation from former judges across Rajasthan, creating a platform where judicial experience was combined with specialised mediation training. The initiative is expected to expand the pool of experienced mediators available for dispute resolution.

During the five-day programme, participants received training in various aspects of mediation, including communication skills, active listening, neutrality, confidentiality, ethics, negotiation strategies, conflict management, settlement drafting and facilitation techniques. The training included theoretical sessions, role plays, simulations and interactive discussions.

The valedictory session was presided over by Justice Mahendra Kumar Goyal, Judge, Rajasthan High Court and Judge-in-Charge, Mediation, Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur.

Appreciating the participation of the former judges, Justice Goyal observed that the programme successfully combined judicial experience with specialised mediation training and laid a strong foundation for promoting a robust mediation culture. He emphasised that while judicial experience provides valuable perspective, structured mediation training is essential for developing facilitative skills, enhancing process awareness and building confidence in consensual dispute-resolution processes.

He further observed that mediation has emerged as an important pillar of contemporary justice delivery and that initiatives of this nature are necessary to create a larger pool of trained mediators capable of resolving disputes with sensitivity, efficiency and fairness.

According to RSLSA, the significance of the programme extends beyond the training itself, as it represents an institutional effort to bridge the gap between adjudication and mediation by drawing upon the experience of retired judges. The authority stated that the initiative demonstrates how judicial expertise can continue to serve society through collaborative and non-adversarial dispute-resolution mechanisms.

RSLSA noted that, being the first programme of its kind conducted by any State Legal Services Authority in India, the initiative sets a benchmark for strengthening mediation institutions and expanding the pool of trained mediators. It also aligns with the broader objective of promoting mediation under the Mediation Act, 2023.

The programme concluded with the successful completion of training by the participating former judges, reaffirming RSLSA's commitment to innovation, institutional excellence and access to justice through alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms.