Kohima, February 25, 2026: The 40-hour Mediation Training Programme organised by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) under the aegis of the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee (MCPC) of the Supreme Court of India concluded successfully on Tuesday at Hotel Japfü, Kohima, marking a significant step toward strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in the state.
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| Participants and trainers pose for a group photograph at the conclusion of the 40-hour Mediation Training Programme organised by NSLSA in Kohima on February 25, 2026. (Image: DIPR Nagaland) |
The intensive training programme brought together legal professionals from across Nagaland and was designed to build a pool of certified mediators capable of facilitating amicable dispute resolution outside conventional courtroom litigation. The initiative forms part of the broader efforts of the judiciary and legal services institutions to promote mediation as an effective, time-efficient, and cost-effective method of resolving disputes.
Delivering the closing remarks, Neiko Akami, NJS, Member Secretary of NSLSA, commended the resource persons and participants for their commitment throughout the programme. He expressed appreciation to the senior trainers from the MCPC, Reema Bhandari and Rita Das Mozumdar, for conducting the sessions through a structured and practical approach that combined theoretical understanding with hands-on mediation exercises.
Akami noted that the primary objective of the training was to equip legal practitioners from every district of Nagaland with professional mediation skills so that disputes referred by courts could be effectively resolved through dialogue and consensus-building. He expressed confidence that the newly trained mediators would contribute significantly to reducing litigation burdens and fostering a culture of peaceful conflict resolution.
The training programme was designed to ensure that at least two advocates from each district acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to function as certified mediators. Officials stated that the initiative would help expand access to mediation services throughout the state and strengthen the implementation of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms at the district level.
Over the course of the 40-hour programme, participants underwent extensive training in various aspects of mediation and dispute resolution. Key topics included the ground rules and principles of mediation, conflict management strategies, communication techniques, negotiation and bargaining skills, and the role of mediators in facilitating constructive dialogue between disputing parties.
Participants were also introduced to broader Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes and received instruction on professional ethics, confidentiality, neutrality, and ethical responsibilities expected of both judicial and advocate mediators. Practical role-play exercises and simulated mediation sessions enabled participants to apply theoretical concepts in realistic scenarios, enhancing their confidence and effectiveness as future mediators.
The training assumes particular significance in light of the Mediation Act, 2023, which has strengthened the legal framework for mediation in India. Under the provisions of the Act, courts and tribunals may refer parties to mediation at any stage of proceedings if the matter is considered suitable for amicable settlement. The legislation aims to encourage dispute resolution through mutual agreement, thereby reducing the burden on courts and promoting quicker outcomes.
Officials highlighted that advocates with a minimum of 10 years of standing at the Bar are eligible to undergo the certified mediation training programme accredited by the MCPC. Such certification enables legal practitioners to serve as mediators in court-referred and other eligible disputes.
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At the concluding session, 26 mediators representing 11 districts of Nagaland were awarded certificates of completion, officially recognizing their successful participation in the programme. The newly certified mediators are expected to play a vital role in promoting mediation services within their respective districts and helping parties resolve disputes in a more collaborative and less adversarial manner.
The successful completion of the programme reflects the commitment of the NSLSA and the judiciary to strengthening access to justice and encouraging peaceful dispute resolution. Officials expressed optimism that the growing network of trained mediators will contribute to a more efficient legal system while fostering harmony and understanding within communities across Nagaland.
With mediation increasingly being recognised as a preferred method of dispute resolution, the training programme marks another important milestone in Nagaland's efforts to modernise and expand access to legal services through alternative and citizen-friendly mechanisms.
