Mahindra University School of Law and IIAM Launch “Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice” Through New MoU

Mahindra University's School of Law has partnered with the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM) to establish the 'Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice'. This pioneering initiative focuses on promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like arbitration and mediation. It is set to revolutionize experiential learning for law students, integrating real-time case management and professional training directly into the curriculum. The Centre will prepare future legal professionals for the global shift towards amicable, efficient conflict resolution and enhance access to justice for the community.

The legal landscape is rapidly shifting, moving away from prolonged litigation towards Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation and arbitration. Recognizing this global imperative, the Mahindra University (MU) School of Law has announced a landmark collaboration with the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM). This partnership is sealed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that establishes the "Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice" on the university campus. This initiative is a game-changer for current and aspiring law students, signaling a strong institutional commitment to experiential learning and producing graduates who are equipped for the future of dispute resolution.

​This Centre is not merely an academic addition; it is a functioning Institutional Arbitration and Mediation Centre designed to serve both the academic community and the wider public. By focusing on practical application, the collaboration aims to enhance access to justice and foster a culture of peaceful and amicable conflict resolution, making the MU School of Law a beacon for next-generation legal professionals.

​ Experiential Learning: Integrating Practice with Pedagogy

​The primary objective of the "Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice" is to bridge the gap between theoretical legal knowledge and real-world legal practice. For law aspirants, the establishment of this Centre translates directly into unprecedented opportunities for skill development in the burgeoning field of ADR. This hands-on experience is exactly what top-tier global law firms and corporate houses seek in modern legal recruits.

• ​Real-Time Dispute Resolution: The Centre will function as an affiliated arm under IIAM’s 'Gateway to Justice' (G2J) project and its online dispute resolution (ODR) platform, 'Peacegate'. This integration means students will gain exposure to institutional and ad-hoc arbitration and mediation sessions involving real-time cases, from basic case management to the actual resolution process.
• ​Skill Development and Professional Training: The MoU mandates that the Centre will conduct comprehensive training programmes in mediation and arbitration, following IIAM's approved curriculum. This allows students to acquire professional credentials and skills recognized by a leading national ADR institution. Aspiring mediators and arbitrators can look forward to: 
  • ​Specialized workshops and simulation exercises.
  • ​Curated courses leading to IIAM accreditation/certification.
  • ​Mentorship from IIAM’s panel of experienced neutrals.
• ​Cultivating a Panel of Neutrals: A core function will be to cultivate and maintain a panel of trained mediators and arbitrators drawn from students, faculty, alumni, and external professional experts. This exposure to diverse case studies and professional networks is invaluable for career launch.

​A Strategic Shift: The Rise of ADR in the Legal Field

​The collaboration between Mahindra University and IIAM underscores a major strategic shift in the global legal domain towards out-of-court settlements. This focus on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) reflects judicial and corporate demands for faster, more cost-effective, and confidential resolution mechanisms. For law aspirants, expertise in ADR is quickly becoming a non-negotiable skill set.

• ​Industry-Ready Professionals: As Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor of Mahindra University, highlighted, the collaboration focuses on interdisciplinary education and experiential learning, which broadens students' perspectives and prepares them to become "industry-ready professionals" capable of handling complex disputes outside the traditional court system.
• ​Enhancing Access to Justice: IIAM's 'Gateway to Justice' (G2J) project, of which this Centre is a consortium partner, aims to enhance access to justice, especially for the underprivileged and small businesses, by decentralizing dispute resolution. Students and faculty will actively contribute to this community-based justice delivery model.
• ​Complementary Infrastructure: The "Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice" will be complemented by the Mahindra International Dispute Resolution Centre on campus. This combined facility will serve as a full-scale institutional ADR facility, creating an unparalleled ecosystem for training and research in international and domestic commercial dispute resolution.

​SEO Keyword Focus & Takeaways for Law Aspirants

​For law aspirants preparing for entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, or LSAT, or for those already enrolled, the establishment of this Centre is a clear signal about the future direction of the profession. Future legal careers will heavily involve a blend of traditional litigation and sophisticated ADR techniques.

• ​Key Search Terms: Aspirants and recruiters searching for advanced legal education will target terms like: "ADR Certification for Law Students", "Experiential Legal Education India", "Mahindra University School of Law Placements", "IIAM Training Programs", and "Careers in Arbitration and Mediation".
• ​Competitive Advantage: Graduates from the School of Law who have actively participated in the Centre’s activities, received IIAM accreditation, and managed real cases through the Peacegate platform will possess a distinct competitive advantage in the legal job market over their peers from institutions with only theoretical ADR courses.
• ​Future Career Paths: The training received will open doors not just to traditional litigation but also to specialized roles as: 
  • ​In-house Counsel focused on amicable settlements.
  • ​International Arbitrators/Mediators.
  • ​ADR Case Managers in leading law firms.
  • ​Judicial Candidates with a strong foundation in collaborative justice.

​Conclusion

​The MoU between Mahindra University School of Law and the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM) is a forward-thinking initiative that places experiential learning and future-ready skills at the core of legal education. The "Seeding Centre for Peace & Justice" represents a significant step towards institutionalizing and professionalizing ADR, promising to mold a generation of highly competent, ethically-grounded legal professionals prepared to champion the cause of efficient and amicable justice delivery in India and globally. Law aspirants should actively seek out institutions like MU that are pioneering such practice-integrated learning models.

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