NSLSA trains 26 judges to strengthen mediation in Nagaland
The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), under the aegis of the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee (MCPC) of the Supreme Court of India, conducted a one-day training programme on mediation for 26 referral judges from across Nagaland at Hotel Japfü, Kohima, on Saturday.
Gauhati High Court Judge Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer, who inaugurated the programme, said mediation should be viewed not merely as an alternative to litigation but as an essential component of a modern and humane justice delivery system.
She underscored the responsibility of referral judges in identifying suitable cases, stating that referring a case to mediation was not simply a procedural step to reduce pendency but a judicial decision that could enable constructive resolution.
Longkumer identified family and matrimonial disputes, neighbourhood disagreements, commercial and contractual disputes, partnership conflicts, landlord-tenant matters and motor accident claims as cases that could benefit from mediation, depending on their circumstances.
However, she cautioned against referring cases involving serious power imbalances, coercion or domestic violence where voluntary consent could be compromised. She stressed that the objective should not be to secure settlements at any cost but to ensure fair, informed and voluntary participation.
She also said timely referrals could prevent disputes from escalating, while mediation could reduce the financial burden, delays and emotional strain associated with prolonged litigation. Mediation and adjudication, she added, should be viewed as complementary means of achieving justice.
NSLSA Member Secretary Neiko Akami said the authority had conducted mediation drives, special Lok Adalats and three National Lok Adalats this year, settling more than 1,000 cases in Nagaland.
The inaugural session was chaired by Principal District and Sessions Judge and Kohima District Legal Services Authority Chairperson Mezivolu T Therieh.
Former Delhi High Court Judge Justice Dharmesh Sharma and retired Delhi judicial officer Arun Kumar Arya served as resource persons. The training covered Alternative Dispute Resolution, mediation procedures, referral mechanisms, consent, case suitability and the role of mediators, as well as preparing lawyers and parties for mediation.
