Jaipur: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant Friday said India’s centuries-old village panchayat system reflected the strength of mediation long before the legal profession became institutionalised, asserting that the principles of dispute resolution remain the same whether the conflict is between two neighbours or two nations.Inaugurating the three-day Commonwealth Peace Mediation and Rule of Law Conference, attended by delegates from 52 Commonwealth countries, Kant said Jaipur, founded on the principle of social harmony, was the ideal venue for such a global dialogue.Recalling India’s traditional dispute resolution system, Kant said village panchayats resolved disputes through dialogue and consensus when there were no lawyers. “Those who resolved disputes also continued to lead society. That remains the essence of mediation,” he said, adding that mediators must listen more than they speak, build trust and continuously hone their skills through training and experience.Speaking at the function, chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said prolonged litigation often drains litigants of time, money and property, while mediation offers quicker and lasting solutions. Rajasthan has provided legal aid to nearly 5.85 lakh people, he said.Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma said mediation strengthens social harmony and public confidence in institutions, adding that Rajasthan ranks second in the country in disposal of cases through mediation.Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence, blockchain and cross-border commercial disputes require modern mediation mechanisms while urging society to embrace dialogue over confrontation.Solicitor general Tushar Mehta said India’s civilisational ethos has always favoured reconciliation before conflict, citing the Ramayana and Mahabharata as examples of attempts at peaceful settlement before war.The conference, organised by Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority, will conclude on Aug 2 with the adoption of Jaipur Peace Mediation Declaration, outlining common principles for mediation across Commonwealth nations.
