GNLU, GIMAC, The PACT in association with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. to host India’s top mediation conclave in Gujarat

September 10, 2024

The second edition of India’s prestigious mediation conclave is set to premier from September 13th to 15th in Gujarat. Curated and produced by The PACT, India’s leading mediation training and education firm, MCI 2024 is a collaborative effort involving Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) and Gujarat International Maritime Arbitration Centre (GIMAC), in association with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. The globally unique concept – Mediation Championship India (MCI) – brings together the top talent and professionals in the Indian mediation world for a weekend of skill exhibition, networking and celebration.

The unique nature of MCI is rooted in its ‘league of champions’ concept. Annually, over 2,000 law students participate in mediation competitions domestically and abroad, with only 100 of these champions invited on merit to challenge for the title of ‘The National Mediation Champion’. The event will also see top mediation professionals honoured with the title of the ‘National ImPACT Award in Mediation’ at the red-carpet gala dinner to be held on September 14th.

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and Co. is once again the title sponsor of MCI 2024. Having staunchly supported The PACT’s efforts since 2017 to make the future generation of lawyers mediation ready.

“We are inviting the next generation of ‘resolutionary lawyers’ to take the challenge of going through 7 intense tests, that will challenge them to showcase their skills through a lifespan of a simulated mediation process. Featuring convening calls, pre-mediation sessions, drafting mediation briefs, email negotiations and online facilitations, participants will wrap it up with a day-long mediation, where they will draft a mediation settlement agreement. There is no mediation competition in the world that offers this challenge – and to enhance the experience, they will be assessed and mentored by a fabulous group of mediation practitioners,” said Nisshant Laroia, Mediator & Director, Mediation Championship India.

Tejas Karia, Partner and Head of Arbitration at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, said, “The second edition of Mediation Championship India once again being held in Gujarat is matter of immense pleasure. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas is delighted to be the title sponsor of this initiative that gives an opportunity to demonstrate skills to the best young talent in the field of mediation. This is an opportune time for mediation in India as we have the new law and the momentum to take the practice of mediation to the next level. We are excited to be part of the journey with The PACT having the vision to make mediation integral part of the alternative dispute resolution space in India.”

In its first major venture into the mediation world, GIMAC has opened its premises to convene India’s finest gathering of mediation professionals and aspirants. Commenting on this, Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director at GIMAC, said, “It is my pleasure to have GIMAC host India’s finest mediation gathering once again in Gujarat. GIMAC aims to support the growth and development of mediation as a collaborative process that can complement arbitration in high-stake maritime disputes where the people behind the problem are as important as the problem itself. I am pleased to see The PACT celebrate Mediation the way they do.”