MPSLSA and DNLU Jabalpur Partner to Launch MCPC-Recognized Mediation Certificate Course

JABALPUR: In a major push to strengthen Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and mainstream consensus-based dispute settlement, the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (MPSLSA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur. The collaboration marks the official launch of a specialized three-month certificate course titled "Mediation: Transforming Conflict into Consensus."

The flagship program was inaugurated by Justice Vivek Rusia, Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, alongside High Court Judges Justice Anand Pathak and Justice Vivek Agarwal.
Course at a Glance

• Total Duration: 240 Hours (Spread over 3 months)
• Mode of Delivery: Blended (Virtual and Physical sessions)
• Frequency: Thrice annually
• Inaugural Batch: August 2026
• Certification Status: Approved by the Supreme Court's MCPC

Mainstreaming Dialogue in Legal Education
Speaking at the launch, Acting Chief Justice Vivek Rusia highlighted the transformative capability of mediation in easing the burden of litigation on courts. He described the collaboration as a milestone in embedding mediation within both everyday dispute resolution and formal legal education.

Justice Anand Pathak drew attention to the human-centric nature of mediation, noting that it effectively preserves relationships and personal dignity far better than traditional adversarial litigation. Urging legal practitioners to shift their perspectives, Justice Vivek Agarwal emphasized that mediation should be utilized as a first resort rather than a final alternative when addressing conflicts.

A Comprehensive 240-Hour Curriculum
The newly structured curriculum has received formal recognition from the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee (MCPC) of the Supreme Court of India. It provides a rigorous 240-hour learning track divided into three modules:

• Theory (144 hours): Exploring core frameworks including the Mediation Act, 2023, the psychology of conflict, professional ethics, and negotiation dynamics.
• Practical Training (48 hours): Featuring active simulation exercises, role-plays, and a mandatory 40-hour specialized training module conducted by Supreme Court-deputed MCPC Senior Trainers.
• Field Exposure (48 hours): Offering firsthand field experience through the direct observation of ongoing community and court-annexed mediation proceedings.

Eligibility and Career Pathways
The program is accessible to a wide array of stakeholders, including advocates, judicial officers, law students, public servants, administrative officers, and NGO workers.
Successful graduates of the course will become eligible for formal empanelment with various legal services institutions. This qualifies them to handle pending disputes directly and actively assist in reducing case pendency across the region.

Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha, Vice-Chancellor of DNLU, and Suman Shrivastava, Member Secretary of MPSLSA, formally executed the MoU. Both institutions expressed confidence that this blended-mode certificate course will build a highly skilled cadre of mediation professionals, making the justice system significantly more participatory and accessible to the public.

Discription: JABALPUR: The Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (MPSLSA) has partnered with Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur, to launch a Supreme Court MCPC-approved three-month certificate course, "Mediation: Transforming Conflict into Consensus."

Inaugurated by Acting Chief Justice Vivek Rusia, the blended 240-hour curriculum comprises 144 hours of theory, 48 hours of practical simulations, and 48 hours of court-annexed field exposure, featuring a 40-hour module led by Supreme Court trainers. Open to advocates, law students, and judicial officers, the program equips participants with essential ADR skills. Graduates gain eligibility for empanelment with legal services institutions, empowering them to actively handle pending disputes and significantly reduce case backlogs across the judicial system.