Ministry of Law: Mediation Council India Established Under 2023 Act

• The Ministry of Law and Justice formally established the Mediation Council of India on August 27, 2026.
• This Council was constituted under Section 31(1) of the Mediation Act, 2023, as a statutory body.
• The head office for the Mediation Council of India is located in Delhi.
• It operates as a body corporate with perpetual succession, empowered to manage property and enter into contracts.
• The Council's mandate includes the development, promotion, and regulation of India's mediation ecosystem.

The formation of the Mediation Council of India represents a crucial milestone for the operationalization of the Mediation Act, 2023, signaling a new era for dispute resolution in the country.

The Ministry of Law and Justice recently announced the formal establishment of the Mediation Council of India, marking a significant step in the nation's dispute resolution landscape. This pivotal development occurred on August 27, 2026, through an official notification that brings the vision of the Mediation Act, 2023, closer to full realization. The newly constituted Council is poised to serve as the central India mediation regulation body, tasked with overseeing and fostering the growth of mediation practices across the country. This move underscores the government's commitment to institutionalizing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

This establishment of the Mediation Council India under the 2023 Act provides a dedicated institutional framework for alternative dispute resolution, ensuring a standardized approach to mediation. The Ministry of Law and Justice notification further specified that the Delhi Mediation Council head office will be situated in the capital, positioning it centrally for national oversight and strategic operations. This strategic location underscores the Council's role as a key player in shaping the future of mediation in India, facilitating its broad reach and influence.

The Mediation Council of India derives its authority directly from the Mediation Act, 2023, having been specifically constituted under Section 31(1) of the legislation. This statutory backing ensures that the Council operates with a robust legal foundation, distinguishing it as a formal governmental entity rather than an ad-hoc body. Its primary mandate, as envisioned by the Act, is to support and regulate the expanding field of mediation throughout India, providing much-needed structure and governance to ensure consistency and quality in mediation services.

Beyond its regulatory functions, the Council is legally structured as a body corporate, endowed with perpetual succession. This corporate status grants it significant operational autonomy and legal capacity, akin to an independent legal person. Specifically, the Mediation Council of India functions with the power to acquire, hold, and dispose of property, enabling it to manage its assets and infrastructure independently. Furthermore, it possesses the legal standing to enter into contracts and to sue or be sued in its own name, reinforcing its distinct legal personality within the Indian legal system and allowing it to engage in necessary legal and commercial activities.

The formation of the Mediation Council of India represents a crucial milestone for the operationalization of the Mediation Act, 2023, signaling a new era for dispute resolution in the country. This body is expected to assume a key institutional role in the comprehensive development, active promotion, and stringent regulation of the entire mediation ecosystem as mandated by the Act. Its establishment underscores a commitment to standardizing mediation practices, enhancing mediator accreditation processes, and building public confidence in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as a viable and effective means of resolving conflicts.

The Council's forthcoming regulations, accreditation processes, and guidelines will be instrumental in defining the practical application of the Mediation Act, 2023, and shaping the day-to-day realities of mediation. Legal professionals and compliance officers engaged in dispute resolution within India must therefore closely monitor the Council's activities and pronouncements. Its decisions will directly influence mediation practice and compliance requirements, making its operational directives essential for navigating the evolving legal landscape and ensuring adherence to new standards.

The establishment of the Mediation Council of India signals the full operationalisation of the Mediation Act, 2023. Lawyers and compliance officers involved in dispute resolution in India must now closely monitor the Council's upcoming regulations, accreditation processes, and guidelines, as these will directly impact mediation practice and compliance requirements.

Source: Reporting based on Ministry of Law and Justice notification