Denial of justice through delay is the biggest mockery of law, but in India it is not limited to mere mockery; the delay in fact kills the entire justice dispensation system of the country. This has led to people settling scores on their own, resulting in a growing number of criminal syndicates and mob justice in various parts of the country and reflecting the loss of people's confidence in the rule of law.

People with problems, like people with pain, want relief, and they want it as quickly and inexpensively as possible. It is in this context that the Indian Institute of Arbitration & Mediation (IIAM) thought of the possibility of establishing Community Mediation Clinics as an inexpensive option. The motto is; “Resolving conflicts; promoting harmony”. The IIAM Community Mediation Service (IIAM CMS) is endorsed by the International Mediation Institute (IMI) at the Hague, Netherlands.

IIAM CMS is a process that can make for a more peaceful society. Community Mediations helps to maintain peace and solidarity among the members by facilitating settlements among conflicting parties. Community mediation means neighbours helping neighbours to solve problems and resolve disputes. It is also intended to empower people, especially the oppressed sections of society and women to participate in the prevention and early intervention of conflicts as an alternative to institutional mechanisms. At the heart of the early community mediation movement is the principle of democratic participation, drawing on people rights and responsibilities and the involvement of networks of community organizations.

Community mediation also helps in restorative justice through its variety approaches and restoring the offender in community by giving correctional practice thereby giving everyone a second chance. Sometimes victims of crime need answers and apologies more than they need to know perpetrators are being punished; and sometimes offenders need to find out just who they’ve hurt to realize what they’ve done is wrong. There is no conflict without emotion. There can be no resolution of a conflict without addressing the underlying emotions that gave rise to it and sustained it. Restorative justice, particularly community mediation programs, help victims heal.

IIAM CMS takes this concept to an institutional level by taking the entire dispute resolution process and maintaining control and responsibility for it in the community at large. The mission is to provide neutral and safe dispute resolution opportunities through which individuals are empowered to work collaboratively to develop creative and mutually agreeable solutions to conflicts.

Ideally mediation clinics would be established in all Indian villages. The Clinic would be a small centre having about 150- 200 sq.ft area with one staff, viz., the Resident Coordinator. The Mediation Clinics would function with an efficient team of mediators who are selected from the local community itself. The people so selected would be given an orientation program by IIAM. IIAM will also implement high standards of ethics as laid down by IMI.

Promoting Community Clinics:

To promote the concept of IIAM CMS, we invite you to partner and contribute by adopting a clinic or donating for the cause of establishing such clinics. Such adopted clinic would be known in your name - “Your Name Mediation Clinic” in association with IIAM Community Mediation Service. IIAM directly operated clinics will display the names of contributors, who have donated for the cause. The names of partners of IIAM Community Mediation Service and the names of contributors will be shown in the IIAM website. IIAM CMS Program gives you the opportunity to proclaim your social commitment and social responsibility. Setting up of Community Mediation Clinics in all villages of each state with a view to mediate all disputes will bring about a profound change in the Indian Legal system.

We welcome you to take part in this exiting attempt of social transition to make our world a safe, sustainable, peaceful and prosperous place to live, by making an important contribution by adopting or supporting such Community Mediation Clinics. Let us jointly make this happen.

Commendations on IIAM CMS:

For more details about partnering with IIAM Community Mediation Service.
Download IIAM CMS brochure

If you would like adopt a clinic or support the cause or would like to have more details about IIAM CMS, please contact dir@arbitrationindia.com