Odisha Set to Spark National Dialogue: 2nd Mediation Conference Promises Legal Revolution

Odisha is set to host the highly anticipated second edition of the National Mediation Conference at Loka Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, on September 27 and 28, 2025. This prestigious event, organized under the aegis of the Office of the Advocate General of Odisha and the Odisha Law Department, aims to deepen national discourse on mediation as a vital and effective alternative dispute resolution mechanism within India’s justice system.

Key Highlights of the Event

The conference will be inaugurated by the Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai, on the evening of September 27 at 6:30 pm.

Attendees will include eminent jurists, policymakers, Supreme Court judges, chief justices of various high courts, Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, Odisha’s Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and other distinguished dignitaries.

The event will focus on empowering practitioners and citizens alike with the knowledge and skills required to harness the full potential of mediation as a tool for speedy, amicable dispute resolution.

Exploring The Importance Of Mediation

Mediation is deeply rooted in India’s civilizational ethos—evoking long-standing traditions of community-based dialogue and consensus-building long before formal courts existed. Village panchayats and elders historically played a pivotal role in resolving conflicts fairly, and mediation today carries forward this legacy by providing a people-centric, harmonious alternative to litigation.

The Mediation Act, 2023, recently enacted by the Indian Parliament, provides a legal framework promoting mediation nationwide and aims to ease the burden on courts by resolving disputes faster and more efficiently.

Agenda And Sessions To Watch

On the second day, September 28, five interactive technical sessions will be conducted. These will be chaired and co-chaired by Supreme Court judges and chief justices from different high courts, alongside solicitors general, advocate generals, and senior mediators. Topics will include challenges and opportunities in mediation, the role of mediation in state litigations, commercial mediation under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, and the development of institutional mediation mechanisms.

Justice M.M. Sundresh of the Supreme Court will deliver the valedictory address, and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah will provide the keynote speech. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal are also expected to attend.

A Step Towards Accessible Justice

This conference builds on the momentum of the first National Mediation Conference held in New Delhi earlier in 2025. Odisha’s hosting reflects its leadership in popularizing mediation and embracing the vision of a justice system that is more responsive, inclusive, and efficient. As Advocate General of Odisha Pitambar Acharya stated, mediation represents a vibrant movement grounded in dialogue, harmony, and reconciliation—principles that can transform dispute resolution in India.

Sources: Sambad English, UNI India, Times of India, The Week, Hindustan Times