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

Mahindra University's School of Law, in a landmark move, has partnered with the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM) to establish the 'Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice' on campus. This pioneering initiative is a major boost for law aspirants, focusing on experiential learning in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) like arbitration and mediation. The Centre aims to bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice, offering real-time case exposure, professional training, and access to IIAM's Peacegate online dispute resolution platform. This strategic focus ensures students are equipped with essential, in-demand skills for the modern global legal market.

In a significant development poised to redefine legal education and training in India, Mahindra University’s School of Law (MUSoL) has formalized a partnership with the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM) to inaugurate the ‘Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice’ on its campus. Announced earlier this month, this centre is far more than a mere academic body; it is designed to function as a full-scale institutional Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) facility. This strategic collaboration is a key component of IIAM's 'Gateway to Justice' (G2J) project, a nationwide initiative aimed at integrating robust ADR mechanisms—specifically arbitration and mediation—directly into the law school ecosystem. For thousands of aspirants targeting integrated or 3-Year LL.B. programs, this initiative at Mahindra University underscores the institution’s commitment to producing industry-ready legal professionals skilled in the most current and globally relevant forms of dispute resolution. The Centre will facilitate a paradigm shift from purely theoretical knowledge to practical, real-time engagement with dispute resolution processes, making it a critical aspect of the law school’s academic offering.

​Bridging the Gap: Experiential Learning in ADR

​The primary objective of the 'Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice' is to address the crucial gap between academic legal knowledge and the demands of modern legal practice. The global legal landscape is increasingly prioritizing out-of-court settlements, making proficiency in ADR a non-negotiable skill for fresh graduates. The centre’s structure and activities are meticulously designed to provide students with unparalleled hands-on experience.

• ​Real-Time Dispute Resolution: The Centre is set up to host actual institutional and ad-hoc arbitration and mediation proceedings. Students will have the unique opportunity to observe, assist, and eventually participate in the case management of real-world disputes.
• ​Professional Training & Certification: The collaboration ensures that students and faculty receive structured, high-quality training programs in mediation and arbitration advocacy, aligned with IIAM's approved schedule. 
  • ​This includes specialized courses in Mediation Advocacy, Arbitration Case Management, and Adjudication.
  • ​Successfully completing these programs can lead to professional accreditation and the cultivation of a panel of student and faculty mediators and arbitrators, giving participants a significant head start in their careers.
• ​Exposure to Legal-Tech and ODR: The Centre will function as an affiliated hub under IIAM’s advanced Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform, ‘Peacegate’. 
  • ​This provides students with direct exposure to the digital future of justice delivery, including online mediation and e-arbitration.
  • ​Familiarity with ODR technology is rapidly becoming essential for lawyers handling cross-border and commercial disputes.

​ Why ADR Expertise is Crucial for Law Aspirants

​Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms are witnessing exponential growth globally. The reasons are multifold, addressing the limitations of traditional court-based litigation—which is often lengthy, expensive, and adversarial. For law aspirants considering careers in corporate law, international commerce, or even litigation, expertise in mediation and arbitration provides a crucial competitive edge.

• ​Market Demand and Employability: Top-tier global law firms, corporate legal departments, and international institutions are actively seeking recruits with proven ADR specialization. Law graduates proficient in negotiation and conflict resolution are highly valued for their ability to provide clients with efficient, cost-effective solutions.
• ​Addressing Judicial Backlog: In India, the sheer volume of pending court cases makes ADR an indispensable tool for timely justice delivery. By offering a faster and more confidential route to resolution, skills in ADR directly contribute to the access to justice mandate.
• ​Skill Development Beyond the Courtroom: The practice of ADR cultivates soft skills that are invaluable in any professional setting: 
  • ​Negotiation and Persuasion Skills
  • ​Analytical and Problem-Solving Abilities
  • ​Interpersonal Communication and Empathy
  • ​Ethical and Neutral Conduct as a potential arbitrator or mediator.

​Impact on Mahindra University’s School of Law

​The launch of the 'Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice' firmly establishes MUSoL as a progressive institution committed to a holistic and practical legal education. By being a consortium partner in the IIAM's G2J project, Mahindra University is taking a leadership role in shaping the next generation of dispute resolution practitioners.

• ​Interdisciplinary Focus: The initiative aligns perfectly with Mahindra University’s core philosophy of interdisciplinary education, bridging the often-separate worlds of legal theory and practical resolution science.
• ​Community Engagement: Beyond the student body, the centre aims to benefit the wider community by offering accessible, low-cost dispute resolution services, embodying the spirit of social justice.
• ​Research and Policy Contribution: Faculty and students at the Centre will be encouraged to engage in pragmatic research on the efficacy and evolution of ADR laws, potentially contributing to government policy and the enhancement of the country's dispute resolution framework.

​Conclusion

​The collaboration between Mahindra University's School of Law and the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation to launch the 'Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice' is a significant step forward for legal education in India. For aspiring lawyers, this new institutional mechanism provides a unique platform to move beyond moot court simulations to genuine, real-world practical training in a field that is set to dominate global dispute resolution. Aspiring candidates looking to secure a future-proof career in law should recognize this initiative as a strong indicator of MUSoL's commitment to delivering an education that is both academically rigorous and professionally relevant. This commitment ensures its graduates will be not just lawyers, but solution-oriented legal architects ready to meet the complex challenges of the 21st-century legal domain.

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