Law College Dehradun in association with PACT (Peace Keeping and Conflict Resolution) Team organized a two-day National Seminar on ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution’ on 17th & 18th November, 2018. PACT is a team of like-minded professionals who share the vision of promoting the use of consensual dispute resolution. The Chief Guests of the occasion were Hon’ble Chancellor of the University Shri Jitender Joshi and Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) N. K. Joshi while the Keynote Speakers were Mr. Jonathan Rodrigues, a Civil and Commercial Mediator associated with Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) for the western region, under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (Govt. of India) and Mr. Nisshant Laroia, from Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA). The program was inaugurated with the lighting of the auspicious lamp by the dignitaries. Chancellor Shri Jitender Joshi presented bouquet & memento to the Keynote Speakers and this was followed by the recital of the University Anthem.
The event commenced with an Inaugural Address delivered by Principal & Dean Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Bahuguna wherein he briefed the students by giving an extensive background of the Keynote Speakers of the day. His address enlightened the students about the need of Alternate Dispute Resolution in the current scenario which is an alternative to the conventional method of dispute settlement by courts. He also assured that the series of sessions would enhance the knowledge, understanding and scope of ADR and enable them to explore and expound the emerging trends of ADR.
The session was started by Mr. Jonathan wherein he discussed at length the need of Mediation and Negotiation and the art of applying it. He also stated that Mediation is an important tool for the present generation and marks the changing approach of lawyers towards dispute resolution. Mr. Nishant enlisted the difference between Litigation with Mediation and explained the pros and cons of them. He further explained in detail why it was important to prefer Mediation, Negotiation and Conciliation to Litigation. He very well disclosed and explained that the secret to resolving conflict lies in the acceptance of its existence, the strategy which we adopt and the capability of generating solutions with mutual value.
This Second Session was more practical than theoretical wherein Mr. Jonathon, through an example, showed how we are more into assuming things on our own rather than rationalizing things in the right manner. Mr. Nisshant differentiated Bargaining with Negotiation through Ice Berg Model of Negotiation. He further explained the roles of a mediator and how a mediator should know the position and interest of the parties.
The second day of the series dealt with the laws governing dispute resolution in India, strategies to adopt in breaking down conflicts and the scope of mediation in India. The sessions where successfully winded up with a Question & Answer Session wherein the participants raised their queries on the topics discussed and this was responded in a lucid way by the professionals.
The 1st National Seminar on ADR turned out to be a great success and saw participation from various colleges and states across the country such as Symbiosis Law School (Hyderabad), B.R. Ambedkar College of Law (Andhra Pradesh), Maharishi Dayanand Law College (Jaipur), School of Law (UPES) (Dehradun), Law College Dehradun and ICFAI University (Dehradun).
The event was eminently convened by Dr. Vijay Srivastava along with Student Coordinators Ms. Bhawana Keshwani, Mr. Rahul Kumar and Mr. Rajat Gaur.
