Mahindra University School of Law and IIAM to Establish On-Campus Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice

Mahindra University's School of Law has partnered with the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM) to establish the pioneering "Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice" on its campus. This landmark initiative is hailed as the first of its kind in India, functioning as an active, institutional arbitration and mediation centre. It forms a crucial part of IIAM's "Gateway to Justice" (G2J) project, aiming to revolutionize legal education by providing students with hands-on, real-time Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) experience. The Centre will not only train the next generation of industry-ready legal professionals but also offer accessible, cost-effective dispute resolution services to the wider community.

The evolution of legal education in India has taken a major leap forward with a strategic alliance between Mahindra University’s School of Law and the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM). The two institutions have signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the "Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice" on the university campus in Hyderabad. This initiative is a game-changer, moving beyond traditional theoretical learning to create a fully functional, professional Institutional Arbitration and Mediation Centre. By serving as a direct consortium partner in IIAM's ambitious "Gateway to Justice" (G2J) project, Mahindra University is pioneering a new model that effectively bridges the gap between the classroom and contemporary legal practice. This move firmly establishes the university as a forward-thinking institution committed to nurturing next-generation legal professionals skilled in efficient and amicable conflict resolution.

​ Experiential Learning: Training the Future ADR Experts

​The Seeding Centre’s primary mandate is to overhaul legal training by integrating active dispute resolution practice into the academic curriculum. This focus on experiential learning is crucial for preparing students for a global legal landscape that increasingly favours Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.

• ​Real-Time Case Exposure: The Centre will manage both institutional and ad-hoc arbitration and mediation cases. Students will have the unique opportunity to observe, assist in, or actively participate in real-time case management, transforming them from observers into practitioners.
• ​Certified Training Programs: The MoU mandates that the Centre will host professional training courses in mediation and arbitration, following IIAM’s approved curriculum. Successful students will earn professional credentials and skills recognized by a leading national ADR institution. 
  • ​Programs Include: Professional Mediator Training Program and Certified Courses in Commercial Arbitration.
• ​Cultivating an ADR Ecosystem: The initiative will actively build a panel of trained mediators and arbitrators, including students, faculty, alumni, and external professionals. This pool of talent ensures continuous practical engagement and mentorship for the students.
• ​Complementary International Centre: The Seeding Centre will be further complemented by the Mahindra International Dispute Resolution Centre on campus, together creating an unparalleled facility for both domestic and international commercial dispute resolution training and research.

​ Gateway to Justice (G2J): Community Impact and Access

​The establishment of the Seeding Centre extends beyond the campus boundaries, aspiring to make a tangible social impact by improving access to justice for the local and regional community, aligning with IIAM's vision.

• ​Affiliation with Peacegate ODR: The Centre will function as an affiliated centre under IIAM’s advanced Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform, ‘Peacegate’. This exposure to digital dispute resolution is essential, as ODR is rapidly becoming the future of accessible justice.
• ​Accessible Dispute Resolution Services: Through the G2J project partnership, the Centre aims to provide the wider community—including local businesses, non-profits, and individuals—with accessible, fast, and cost-effective arbitration and mediation services, offering a viable alternative to lengthy traditional court litigation.
• ​Enhancing Societal Harmony: By promoting amicable conflict resolution, the project’s goal is to enhance access to justice and foster a culture of peaceful dispute settlement within society, positioning the university as a valuable community resource.
• ​Technology Integration: Students will gain hands-on experience using the latest ODR technology, case management software, and digital arbitration tools, ensuring they are technologically adept professionals ready for the demands of the modern legal market.

​Impact on Law Aspirants and Career Trajectories

​For aspirants considering admission to law school, particularly those targeting Mahindra University’s School of Law, this Centre offers a distinct competitive advantage in the burgeoning field of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

• ​Career Advantage: Expertise in arbitration and mediation is highly valued by global law firms, corporate legal departments, and international bodies. Graduates trained at an active institutional centre like this will possess a significant advantage in placements.
• ​Interdisciplinary Learning: The Centre embodies Mahindra University’s strong focus on interdisciplinary education, encouraging students to approach conflict resolution through not only a legal lens but also incorporating elements of management, negotiation, and technology.
• ​Industry Readiness: By managing real cases and participating in certified training, students develop industry-ready skills far superior to those gained through mock exercises alone. This prepares them for direct entry into professional roles as arbitrators, mediators, or ADR specialists.

​Conclusion

​The launch of the "Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice" through the MoU between Mahindra University’s School of Law and IIAM is a pathbreaking development that signals a shift towards practical, experiential legal education in India. By simultaneously acting as a training ground for future ADR experts and a service provider to the community, the Centre offers immense value. For law aspirants, this initiative makes Mahindra University a premier destination for those seeking a future in modern, technologically informed, and highly efficient dispute resolution.

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