JGLS: Wins Mediation Championship India 2026 Counsel Title

• Jindal Global Law School students Omar Sigbathulla and Chinmay Hegde won the Mediation Championship of India 2026 as counsel.
• Ayushi Shukla from Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, secured the first rank as the top mediator.
• The invite-only championship, organized by PACT and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, involved over 100 participants and a nine-member grand jury.
• The grand finals took place at the India International Centre in New Delhi.
• Justices Tejas Karia and CS Sudha of the Delhi High Court, along with Attorney General R Venkataramani and Anuradha Mukherjee of CAM, presented the final trophy.

The collective presence of these distinguished figures underscored the championship's role in advancing alternative dispute resolution practices within India's legal landscape.

Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) has achieved a significant victory, with two of its students clinching the top honors as mediation counsel at the prestigious Mediation Championship of India 2026. Omar Sigbathulla and Chinmay Hegde, representing JGLS, demonstrated exceptional skill and strategic acumen to secure the first-place ranking in their category. This national recognition highlights the growing talent pool emerging from Indian law schools in the field of alternative dispute resolution. The success of JGLS in this competitive arena underscores the institution's commitment to fostering practical legal skills among its students, particularly in the nuanced art of mediation.

Beyond the counsel category, individual excellence was also celebrated. Ayushi Shukla, a student from Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) in Gandhinagar, distinguished herself by earning the first-rank title as the top mediator. Her achievement points to the high caliber of individual mediation talent cultivated across various leading legal institutions in the country. The overall outcome of the Mediation Championship of India 2026 showcases a vibrant and competitive landscape for future legal professionals specializing in dispute resolution.

The highly anticipated Mediation Championship of India 2026 was meticulously organized through a collaborative effort between PACT and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM), two prominent entities in the legal and dispute resolution spheres. This particular competition stood out due to its exclusive, invite-only format, ensuring that only the most promising and prepared participants from across the nation were able to contend for the coveted titles. The event attracted a substantial cohort, with more than 100 participants converging from various regions of the country, all vying to showcase their mediation prowess.

The rigorous evaluation process was overseen by a distinguished grand jury, comprising nine highly experienced members. This esteemed panel included partners from leading legal firms, notably Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas itself, and SNG & Partners, among others. The inclusion of such seasoned legal professionals on the judging panel underscored the championship's commitment to upholding the highest standards of assessment and ensuring that the winning teams and individuals truly represented the pinnacle of mediation talent. The comprehensive judging criteria and the expertise of the panel contributed significantly to the prestige and credibility of the competition.

The culmination of the intense competition saw the grand finals unfold at the esteemed India International Centre, located in the heart of New Delhi. This choice of venue further emphasized the national significance and formal stature of the event. The presentation of the final trophy was a high-profile affair, graced by several luminaries from the Indian legal fraternity.

The honors were bestowed by Justices Tejas Karia and CS Sudha of the Delhi High Court, signifying the judiciary's recognition of the importance of mediation skills. They were joined by the Attorney General for India, R Venkataramani, whose presence lent considerable weight and official endorsement to the championship. Additionally, Anuradha Mukherjee from Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas participated in the presentation, highlighting the organizing firm's continued involvement and support for nurturing future mediation experts. The collective presence of these distinguished figures underscored the championship's role in advancing alternative dispute resolution practices within India's legal landscape.

This article, reporting on a student competition, does not present a direct practical implication for practicing lawyers or compliance officers beyond general awareness of emerging talent in mediation.

Source: Original reporting on national legal competition