The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), under the aegis of the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee (MCPC), Supreme Court of India, conducted a One-day training programme on mediation for referral judges at Hotel Japfü, Kohima on 24th October, 2026. The inaugural session was chaired by Principal District and Sessions Judge & Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority, Kohima, Mezivolu T Therieh.
Judge of the Gauhati High Court, Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer, while addressing as inaugural guest said that mediation should be viewed not merely as an alternative to litigation, but as an essential component of a modern, responsive and humane justice delivery system. She underscored the pivotal role of judges in referring suitable cases for mediation, and emphasized that the success of mediation depended not only on the skills of mediators but also on the wisdom, sensitivity and commitment of referral judges. She added that referring a case to mediation is not merely a procedural step to reduce pendency, but a judicial decision that can open the way for a more constructive resolution.
The speaker identified family and matrimonial disputes, neighbourhood disagreements, commercial and contractual disputes, partnership conflicts, landlord-tenant matters and motor accident claims as cases that can benefit from mediation, depending on their circumstances. However, Longkumer cautioned that judges must exercise sound discretion while screening cases, particularly where there were serious power imbalances, coercion, domestic violence or circumstances that undermined voluntary consent. The objective, the speaker stressed, should not be to secure settlements at any cost but to ensure fair, informed and voluntary participation.
The judge also highlighted the importance of timely referrals, noting that early intervention could help prevent disputes from escalating. Judges, the speaker said, must explain mediation as a credible avenue for resolution rather than presenting it as a lesser form of justice or an additional procedural formality. On access to justice, Longkumer said mediation, where appropriate, can reduce the financial burden, delays and emotional strain associated with prolonged litigation while allowing courts to devote more time to complex cases requiring authoritative adjudication.
The speaker further emphasised that mediation must strengthen access to justice without compromising the rights, dignity or legitimate interests of the parties. Encouraging settlement, Longkumer said, it should never become pressure to settle, and any resolution must remain consistent with fairness and the law. Mediation and adjudication should be viewed as complementary means of achieving justice, adding that judicial wisdom lay not only in delivering reasoned judgments but also in recognising when disputes can be resolved more effectively through peaceful negotiation.
Member Secretary, NSLSA, Neiko Akami informed that the legal services have made endeavour in conducting mediation drives, special Lok Adalats and 3 National Lok Adalats this year which have settled over 1000 cases in the state.
During the training session, former Judge of the High Court of Delhi, Justice Dharmesh Sharma and retired Judicial Officer of Delhi, Arun Kumar Arya, were resource persons. The MCPC senior trainers covered relevance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), the concept and advantages of mediation, its comparison with judicial proceedings, arbitration and Lok Adalat, and the role of mediators. Sessions also focused on role of referral judges, stages and procedures of referral, consent, suitable cases for mediation, avoiding trial delays, and preparing lawyers and parties for mediation among others.
26 referral judges from across the state participated in the training programme.
