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

Mahindra University (MU) School of Law and IIAM are launching a 'Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice,' a major development for legal education in India. This center focuses on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including professional training in mediation and arbitration, and provides hands-on experience via the 'Peacegate' ODR platform. For law aspirants, this means an unparalleled opportunity for practical, industry-ready skills. Discover how this initiative is set to redefine legal practice and enhance job market readiness for future lawyers.

In a landmark move set to significantly reshape legal education in India, Mahindra University’s School of Law (MU-SoL) has formally collaborated with the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM) to establish an on-campus "Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice." This pivotal initiative, part of IIAM’s nationwide 'Gateway to Justice' (G2J) project, is far more than a mere academic addition; it is a fully functional Institutional Arbitration and Mediation Centre dedicated to fostering a culture of amicable and efficient dispute resolution. For thousands of law aspirants preparing to enter a demanding profession, this Center offers a critical advantage: an ecosystem designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical, real-world competence in the burgeoning field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). In an overburdened judicial system, the demand for legal professionals skilled in ADR mechanisms—Arbitration, Mediation, and Negotiation—is skyrocketing. This Centre aims to train the next generation of lawyers as expert problem-solvers and pioneers of justice.

​ The Core Mandate: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

​The "Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice" has been strategically designed to serve a dual purpose: to act as a premier training ground for students and a direct service provider to the university and the broader community. This operational model ensures that learning is not confined to case law and statutes but is rooted in experiential education through real-time case management.

​Key features and offerings for law aspirants:

• ​Real-Time Dispute Resolution Exposure: The Centre will function as an affiliated hub under IIAM’s sophisticated ‘Peacegate’ Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform. This grants students access to a pipeline of actual cases for observation, analysis, and management, moving beyond traditional, simulated moot court exercises.
• ​Professional Certification and Training: Students will receive professional training programs in Mediation Advocacy and Arbitration Advocacy as per IIAM’s approved curricula. This rigorous training will culminate in a valuable, certified skill set that is immediately applicable in the professional world.
• ​Development of a Professional Panel: The initiative will actively cultivate a panel of trained mediators and arbitrators, drawing from students, faculty, and professional experts. This means students are directly integrated into a professional network from their initial years of study.

​ Competitive Advantage in a Global Legal Market

​Expertise in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is no longer a niche specialization; it is becoming a mandatory skill for competitive lawyers in India and internationally. As the legal landscape globalizes, the ability to resolve complex commercial and civil disputes efficiently, cost-effectively, and amicably is highly prized. This collaboration places Mahindra University School of Law students at the forefront of this professional transformation.

​The center's impact on career readiness is profound:

• ​Enhanced Employability: Top-tier law firms, large corporate in-house legal departments, and international organizations are actively seeking graduates with proven, practical skills in mediation and arbitration. The Centre provides certified practical experience that acts as a significant differentiator in the job market.
• ​Global Affiliation and Standard: Given IIAM's status as a founding member of the Asia Pacific Centre for Arbitration & Mediation (APCAM) and its global affiliations (like the International Mediation Institute - IMI), the training standards at the Centre are aligned with international best practices. This opens doors for students aspiring to practice international commercial law or work with global dispute resolution bodies.
• ​Focus on Essential Soft Skills: The professional programs emphasize the development of critical non-legal skills essential for success in modern legal practice: 
  • ​Negotiation and Communication Skills (pivotal for mediation).
  • ​Procedural and Drafting Skills (critical for arbitration).
  • ​Ethical Practice and Professional Conduct in dispute resolution.

​ ADR: The Future of Access to Justice in India

​The establishment of the Seeding Centre aligns perfectly with the national goal of enhancing Access to Justice. India’s traditional court system faces immense challenges, including a massive backlog of cases and prolonged litigation timelines. ADR mechanisms are widely recognized as a crucial component of judicial reform, offering a faster, more flexible, and less adversarial path to justice.

​How the Centre Contributes to the Justice System:

• ​Decentralizing Dispute Resolution: As part of the 'Gateway to Justice' project, the Centre helps to democratize and decentralize the availability of dispute resolution services, potentially making legal redress more accessible to small businesses and individuals in the community who may be deterred by the costs and delays of traditional litigation.
• ​Fostering a Culture of Amicable Resolution: By engaging students and the community in mediation and conciliation, the Centre promotes a cultural shift away from purely adversarial conflict toward mutual understanding and win-win solutions, contributing to social harmony.
• ​Innovating through Technology: Utilizing the 'Peacegate' ODR platform integrates technology directly into the dispute resolution process. This prepares students for the future of justice, where Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) tools will become increasingly common for cross-border and e-commerce disputes.

​Conclusion

​The collaboration between Mahindra University School of Law and the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation to launch the Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice is a truly forward-looking initiative. It underscores a commitment to creating "industry-ready" legal professionals who possess the sophisticated skills required to navigate the complexities of modern legal practice. For law aspirants, this development signals a clear message: mastering Alternative Dispute Resolution is the key to a successful, impactful career in the 21st-century legal domain. This Centre is poised to be a national model for experiential legal education, driving both professional excellence and social impact by promoting peace and justice.

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