DLSA Organizes Rally Highlighting Mediation Benefits

Quick Summary:

• A rally titled ‘Mediation for Nation’ was organized by the Prakasam District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh.
• The event took place on Wednesday, starting at the Court Center and ending at CVN reading Room.
• DLSA Secretary and Senior Civil Judge Sheikh Ibrahim Sharif emphasized mediation as a simple, fast process with outcomes satisfactory to both parties.
• He also noted that court fees paid in formal cases can be recovered when disputes are settled through mediation.
• Bar Association President Boddu Bhaskara Rao assured advocates’ full cooperation in resolving issues via mediation.
• Several advocates trained in mediation, along with legal officials like Additional Government Advocate and Defense Counsel representatives, participated in the program.

Photo credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The emphasis placed during this rally on promoting mediation reflects India’s growing recognition of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms as essential tools for reducing judicial backlog while ensuring dispute settlements efficiently and amicably. By highlighting cost-recovery benefits tied to court fees and emphasizing mutual satisfaction through resolution outside formal litigation channels, such initiatives may help build public trust around ADR systems like mediation.

The active participation of key legal professionals-including judges, bar association presidents, government advocates, defense counsels-underscores institutional support within the judiciary for shifting minor disputes from courthouses to negotiated settlements through trained mediators. This could reduce congestion within Indian courts while empowering citizens with faster access to justice.

While localized events like those organized by DLSA bring visibility to ADR processes at the district level specifically-for regions like Ongole-they could serve as foundational efforts paving wider acceptance nationally if replicated effectively across states.

Read more: The Hindu