About Us
Why should we forgive wrongs done to us? Why should we carry the burdens of wrongs we committed and committed on us like a bag of potatoes? Why should we think that someone else in a court is wiser than us to tell us that law will give us answers which are within us? Is forgiveness “the answer to the child’s dream of a miracle by which what is broken is made whole again and what is soiled is made clean again”?
The idea of mediation goes beyond forgiveness but profoundly includes it. It does not depend upon gain or success in the material sense. What more a justice administration system can give as gift than enabling people to self-unentangle themselves from errors of judgements and blinded conflicts?
The practice of mediation and its value as a healer stands well recognised. The mediation Act, 2023 No.32 of 2023 is a great step in promoting and enhancing this civilisational practice. We need further momentum to deepen its roots and strengthen its appeal. This calls for a social and community engagement.
The Mediation Association of India (MAI) is a humble initiative envisioned, with a mission to institutionalize and promote mediation as a primary mode of dispute and conflict resolution across the country.
As a national body, MAI seeks to bring together all key stakeholders in the mediation ecosystem—mediation associations, professional mediators, mediation trainers, advocates practicing mediation, public sector undertakings (PSUs), corporates, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and individuals dedicated to the cause of peaceful conflict resolution.
We believe that effective dispute and conflict resolution is not merely a legal necessity but a societal imperative. Mediation fosters dialogue, understanding, and collaboration—values essential for building a harmonious and progressive nation. In an increasingly complex and fast-paced world, MAI will stand as a platform to champion both Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which is post-litigation, and Alternative Conflict Resolution (ACR), which is pre-litigation, with the ultimate goal of fostering a conflict-free society through mediation.
In addition to its national mandate, MAI aspires to play a vital role in representing India at international forums, conferences, and dialogues on mediation and dispute resolution. It aims to actively collaborate with global mediation bodies, international organizations, and academic institutions to bring in global best practices, foster cross-border cooperation, and contribute to the evolving landscape of mediation worldwide.
Inspired by the commitments and dedicated work of mediators, the Attorney General for India thought it important to gather such inspirations as an Association. MAI is committed to making mediation accessible, credible, and sustainable at both grassroots and institutional levels. We aim to standardize mediation practices, support capacity-building, facilitate collaboration across sectors, and act as a thought leader in shaping the future of mediation in India and beyond.
Our Mission
The Mediation Association of India (MAI) envisions the emergence of a conflict-resilient, inclusive, and harmonious society, where disputes are resolved not through adversarial process, but through dialogue, understanding, empathy, and collaboration. We believe that true progress, sustainable peace, and social cohesion are enhanced when individuals, communities, institutions, and businesses are empowered to resolve conflicts constructively and voluntarily. Our vision is to embed mediation into the core of India’s legal, social, and economic systems, making it not just an alternative, but the preferred and trusted pathway for resolution.
Aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, MAI is committed to building a future where mediation is accessible, standardized, and institutionally supported at every level—rural and urban, grassroots and national. This includes removing geographical, economic, social, and cultural barriers that limit access to peaceful dispute resolution. MAI aspires to foster a vibrant domestic mediation ecosystem while also positioning India as a global Mediation Powerhouse. By representing India on international platforms, building global partnerships, and promoting cross-border knowledge exchange, MAI seeks to redefine India’s role in the global mediation landscape. Our aspiration is to see India emerge as the world’s mediation thought leader, with mediation deeply rooted in its culture—transforming justice delivery and contributing to a peaceful, developed India.
Our Vision
The Mediation Association of India (MAI) envisions the emergence of a conflict-resilient, inclusive, and harmonious society, where disputes are resolved not through prolonged litigation, but through dialogue, empathy, and collaboration. We believe that true progress, sustainable peace, and social cohesion are only possible when individuals, communities, institutions, and businesses are empowered to resolve conflicts constructively and voluntarily. Our vision is to embed mediation—through both Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) post-litigation and Alternative Conflict Resolution (ACR) pre-litigation—into the core of India’s legal, social, and economic systems, making it not just an alternative, but the preferred and trusted pathway for resolution.
Aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, MAI is committed to building a future where mediation is accessible, standardized, and institutionally supported at every level—rural and urban, grassroots and national. This includes removing geographical, economic, social, and cultural barriers that limit access to peaceful dispute resolution. As India’s apex mediation body, MAI aims to foster a vibrant domestic mediation ecosystem while also positioning India as a global Mediation Powerhouse. By representing India on international platforms, building global partnerships, and promoting cross-border knowledge exchange, MAI seeks to redefine India’s role in the global mediation landscape. Our aspiration is to see India emerge as the world’s mediation powerhouse, with mediation deeply rooted in its culture—transforming justice delivery and contributing to a peaceful, developed India.