The Ministry of Law and Justice has released a notification establishing the Mediation Council of India and its head office will be in Delhi, but the government has yet to appoint the seven-member council.
The council has been established under the Mediation Act, 2023. The act was notified on 15 September 2023 and provides for the establishment of the council under section 31.
India’s central government has yet to appoint a seven-member council.
The council is required to promote domestic and international mediation, and develop India as a robust mediation centre. It can also lay down guidelines for education, assessment, certification, registration and renewal of mediator registrations. The council is also empowered to suspend or cancel registrations when required.
The council also has the power to appoint a committee of experts for assistance in discharging its duties and functions.
The council also has powers and duties to hold training workshops, setting standards of ethical conduct by mediators and partnering with international bodies or institutions. For training and educating mediators, the council is also required to extend recognition to mediation institutes that undertake such programmes.
The council is required to submit annual implementation reports to the central government.
