Interviews: Shivangi Sinha, Faculty Coordinator, Madhyasthta-ADR Cell, BVDU New Law College, Pune

Madhyasthta is the ADR Cell of Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University New Law College, Pune. As the name suggests, Madhyasthta is a Sanskrit term that means to mediate.

The Cell is a year old and works with the motto of providing solace for every dispute. Ever since the Cell came into existence, it has been working vehemently to bring to the table the advantages of resolving disputes equivocally outside the court.

In this interview conducted by Campus Ambassador Avantika Shukla, Faculty Coordinator Shivangi Sinha discusses the relevance of ADR, the kind of activities they have taken up, and a whole lot more.

Why ADR is becoming more relevant with changing times, and how Madhyasthta helps in the development of students in the given field?

An important realization was made during this pandemic when the Courts were flooded with cases and there was a sudden deviation from traditional methods. It would’ve been contrary had the Nation been adoptive to out of court settlements.

In our view, ADR has been growing rampantly in the commercial sector because of its efficient mechanism and time and cost-efficiency. The proceedings are succinct allowing parties to focus on their major goals.

Madhyasthta- The ADR Cell has been dedicated to upscale the students skill sets in a way that is helpful for them in the long run. At large we have been organizing Webinars and other interactive sessions that allow students to clarify their doubts related to ADR and help them understand the advantages of dispute resolution processes. The Cell also strives to bring global concepts in light to augment learning among students.

Could you give us an insight into the blogs and discourses featured in Madhyasthta?

Madhyasthta, through its initiatives has been in touch with various global representatives of ADR. We approach guests as well as students who are interested in writing blogs and delivering lectures on pertinent topics of ADR.

Ever since Madhyasthta started functioning, we put our heart and soul to introduce new and innovative ways to educate students about the field of ADR. Some of the recent endeavours are GIADRA- An Oracle for ADR and “Prudentia Amicus- A Guide to Careers in ADR”.

Additionally, the Cell also undertakes to conduct symposiums and webinars when the lockdown hit us to continue the process of learning.

An insight into the blogs and discourses which are featured on Madhyasthta are in brief, diverse, and thought-provoking. We have professionals speak on conventional methods of ADR and give us an insight into the subject.

Our guests have also been generous to have brought to light important topics such as drafting of an arbitral award, discussing new methods of dispute resolution such as hot tubbing, concepts of quantum witnesses, and many more such diverse topics in the area of dispute resolution.

We have also been fortunate to have hosted an Oxford Style Debate on the heated topic of “Anti-arbitration Injunctions being antithetical to the Arbitration regime of India”. Team Madhyasthta strives to bring more such contemporary topics to light and enrich the students and learners.

How crucial is the role of students in the success of Madhyasthta?

Madhyasthta is a student-driven cell that was formed with the meeting of like-minded people all having the zeal to make ADR the most favoured method of dispute resolution.

As the saying goes “Charity begins at home”, change was to be induced within ourselves. Under the guidance of our Principal I/c Dr. Bhagyashree Deshpande, we started functioning. What began as a ten-member venture went on to be joined by over two hundred arbitration enthusiasts. Madhyasthta aims at being a learning hub where students learn about different important skills such as team-work, research, and writing which would help them in their later careers as well.

We have a dedicated member of thirty people in the core team who look after the day to the day functioning of the Cell. Students are encouraged to research and write on various topics that are used as content for our social media engagements.

Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that there has been a relationship of interdependence created within the Cell which helps us all work efficiently as a team.

Also, how students from other law universities can connect and contribute to Madhyasthta?

This is one aspect where the Cell has been pondering to carve out ways and connect with like-minded students from other Universities. At present, we have students who join us regularly in our Prudentia Amicus Sessions, connect with us through our social media handles.

Various students also take part in our daily interactive segments. However, the Cell is yet to think of concrete relationship-building strategies for students.

Nonetheless, we have a Join Us Tab on our Website for Professionals to connect with us and could be reached on the link below:

http://bvpnlcmadhyasthta.com/