The Indian Mediation Federation (IMF), a national platform bringing together stakeholders across the mediation ecosystem, has entered into collaborations with domestic and international organisations to strengthen mediation practices, promote knowledge-sharing and contribute towards making mediation a mainstream mechanism for dispute resolution in India.
Envisioned as an “umbilical cord” connecting professionals, businesses and other stakeholders across the country, IMF seeks to foster a collaborative mediation ecosystem, with the larger vision of positioning India as a global hub for mediation. The Federation focuses on two key objectives, namely Awareness and Advocacy of Mediation and seeks to encourage collective participation in building a stronger culture of mediation across the country.
As part of its initiative, IMF has entered into collaborations with organisations and institutions including the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC), Indian Lawyers Association, Insolvency Professionals Agency of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, Early Warning Europe and European Mentoring & Coaching Council.
The collaborations seek to bring together stakeholders from the legal, insolvency, accountancy, mediation, mentoring and coaching sectors and create opportunities for knowledge-sharing, capacity building, professional development and advocacy in the field of mediation.
The initiative assumes significance in the backdrop of the Mediation Act, 2023, which provides a statutory framework for mediation in India. While the legislative framework provides a foundation for the growth of mediation, its wider institutionalisation would also require greater awareness, professional capacity, public confidence, and adoption of mediation beyond court-referred matters.
IMF has identified awareness, advocacy, standards, policy support, adoption, and professional development as key areas for strengthening the mediation ecosystem.
Speaking at the Commercial Mediation Conclave India 2026, IMF President Sanjeev Ahuja emphasised that the enactment of legislation alone cannot change dispute-resolution behaviour and called for coordinated efforts involving policymakers, regulators, courts, businesses, professionals and other stakeholders.
Also Read: “Let’s talk” before “see you in Court”: Sanjeev Ahuja’s roadmap for a mediation-first India
Federation has called for greater support from government, policy makers and other public institutions for mediation over and above what this noble concept is getting from the courts in India to make it an accessible, routinely considered option for resolving disputes.
With increasing collaborations across professional and international networks, the initiative seeks to connect the different stakeholders in the mediation ecosystem and contribute towards making mediation a more familiar and accessible first step in dispute resolution.
