International Conference at Bennett University Emphasizes the Importance of Soft Skills in Mediation

Bennett University, in collaboration with GAIL (India) Limited and Law Circle as knowledge partners, hosted a one-day International Conference on ‘Adapting to the Digital Era: Innovative Techniques for Selecting the Most Effective Dispute Resolution Mechanism’ on May 5, 2025. The event was organized by the Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR) and the Centre for Trade, Investment and Dispute Resolution, under the aegis of the School of Law.

The conference was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri, Judge at the International Commercial Court of Singapore and Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, who served as the Chief Guest. The inaugural session marked two significant milestones — the launch of the Mediation Centre at Bennett University and the release of the conference proceedings, setting the tone for a forward-looking dialogue on dispute resolution.

The event featured a valedictory panel discussion on ‘Challenges and Opportunities for Settling Oil and Gas Disputes through Mediation’, which served as a highlight of the conference. The session was graced by the presence of Dr. A. Venkatesan, General Manager (Law), Gail (India) Limited, as the Keynote Speaker.

He was accompanied by Shri Rajendra Lade, Chief General Manager-Legal, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, India; Shri Navin Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer, India International Arbitration Centre; Ms. Aishwarya Ananth Kumar Partner (Dispute Resolution) Luthra and Luthra Law offices, and Ms. Smitha Sehgal DGM (Legal) Engineers India Limited, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India. The panel discussion delved into the multifaceted landscape of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), with a particular focus on mediation as a strategic mechanism for proactively diminishing the necessity for and intensity of formal legal proceedings.

During the panel discussion, Ms. Smitha, focusing on the challenges inherent in the mediation process, remarked that the "concept of party autonomy has been hijacked from the past two decades," suggesting a significant erosion or misapplication of this core principle over time. Shri Rajendra Lade continued the discussion by highlighting a fundamental shift in the approach to mediation, stating that the focus has now transitioned from "right-based to interest-based mediation," indicating a move away from strict legal entitlements towards addressing the underlying needs of the parties.

Dr. Venkatesan contributed to the conversation by emphasizing the growing need for "pre-emptive measures to litigation," advocating for proactive strategies to avoid formal legal proceedings. Ms. Aishwarya offered a practical observation, remarking that "when there is money inflow happening, people generally opt for mediation," suggesting a correlation between financial considerations and the inclination to choose mediation, which was in alignment with the discussion during the inaugural ceremony of the conference. Finally, Shri Navin presented a more cautious perspective on the universality of mediation, highlighting the challenges by claiming that "mediation is not the end of the road," thereby underscoring the importance of selecting dispute resolution mechanisms based on the specific circumstances of each situation.

The conference drew participation from over a hundred delegates from across India and abroad. Participants shared their research findings, experiences, and papers in technical sessions that explored a wide range of topics, including arbitration, mediation, conciliation, lok adalats, and other dispute resolution techniques.

In alignment with the judiciary’s and government’s increasing push for ADR to ensure faster case disposal and speedy justice, the conference’s theme was particularly timely. It concluded with a consensus on the essential role of soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and negotiation, in enhancing the effectiveness of mediation, particularly in complex and high-stakes disputes.

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