Mediation Training Programme for IP Professionals Concludes with MoU Signing Ceremony

The Certified Mediation Training Programme with Comprehensive Industry Focus, jointly conducted by the Insolvency Professional Agency of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, Missing Bridge, and the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC), Hyderabad, successfully concluded on April 19, 2025.

(L – R: Ms. Rukmani Menon, Dr. Venkat Reddy Donthi Reddy, Mr. Sanjeev Ahuja, Mr. P.K. Malhotra, Mr. AJ Jawad, Mr. G.S. Narasimha Prasad, and Ms. Reema Bhandari)

Marking a significant step forward, the final day of the programme began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IAMC Hyderabad and Missing Bridge. This MoU aims to facilitate joint initiatives such as training, conferences, workshops, promoting mediation in insolvency and other collaborative initiatives.

The programme concluded with a panel discussion on the theme “Mediation – The ADR Tool We Cannot Ignore” at the Hampshire Plaza Hotel, Hyderabad. The discussion brought together an esteemed panel of experts, including:⁠ ⁠Mr. P.K. Malhotra, Former Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India; Dr. Venkat Reddy Donthi Reddy, Senior Advocate, High Court for the State of Telangana; Mr. G.S. Narasimha Prasad, Managing Director, the Insolvency Professional Agency of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India; Mr. AJ Jawad, Registrar, IAMC Hyderabad; Ms. Rukmani Menon, Senior Mediator, CAMP Arbitration and Mediation Practice Pvt. Ltd.; Ms. Reema Bhandari, Mediator and Advocate, Alliance Law Office. The panel discussion was moderated by Mr. Sanjeev Ahuja, President, Missing Bridge.

The panelists shared their real-life stories and practical experiences, offering valuable insights into the mediation landscape. The discussion covered a range of themes, including mandatory and voluntary mediation, court-annexed versus private mediation, mediation under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), institutional mediation, and the distinction between problem-solving and the delivery of justice. Mediation as a career path also formed a significant part of the dialogue.

Mr. AJ Jawad emphasized that “Mediation increases access to justice because it frees up the courts to deal with matters which need immediate attention.” He highlighted that institutional mediation ensures mediator competency, a streamlined process, transparent costs, and accountability, the elements that improve the overall quality of the mediation process.

Ms. Rukmani Menon and Mr. AJ Jawad addressed the concept of mandatory mediation under the draft Mediation Bill, clarifying that while it does not require parties to reach a settlement, it mandates a genuine attempt to mediate. Ms. Menon also stressed the importance of both mediator and advocate mindsets in supporting parties. She emphasized that lawyers play an important role in helping parties understand and protect their rights.

Drawing from her own practical experience, Ms. Reema Bhandari observed that private mediation, by virtue of being voluntary, sees higher engagement from parties and better outcomes. In contrast, while court-annexed mediation serves a vital purpose, parties may not always approach it with the same openness.

Dr. Venkat Reddy highlighted the importance of developing mediation skills through regular practice and shared how achieving mutually agreeable settlements brings satisfaction to both parties and the mediator.

Mr. P.K. Malhotra reflected on mediation as a profession, emphasizing that it requires a specialized skill set. With increasing awareness around Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and the statutory recognition of Mediation, he stated that mediation is evolving into a viable standalone profession.

Mr. G.S. Narasimha Prasad concluded with a forward-looking perspective, stating, “We are not as ambitious as we should be; mediation should enter at a very early stage of dispute, even in IBC matters.”

This panel discussion served as a unique opportunity for newly trained mediators to engage with experienced practitioners and gain perspective on the practical and ethical dimensions of mediation.