Mahindra University’s School of Law has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM) to establish the Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice on its campus. This centre will function as a dedicated Institutional Arbitration and Mediation Centre, supporting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practices and promoting a culture of peaceful conflict resolution.
The initiative is part of IIAM’s ‘Gateway to Justice’ (G2J) programme, a nationwide mission aimed at setting up dispute resolution centres in law schools across India. The goal is to enhance access to justice, reduce reliance on lengthy court processes, and introduce students to real-world legal dispute handling.
Through this collaboration, the Mahindra University Seeding Centre for Peace and Justice will operate as an official consortium partner on IIAM’s online dispute resolution platform ‘Peacegate’. Students, faculty, alumni, and surrounding communities will gain direct access to mediation, arbitration, case management and live dispute resolution, aligning academic learning with practical legal experience.
A Milestone for Experiential Legal Education
Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor of Mahindra University, highlighted that the centre strengthens the university’s focus on experiential and interdisciplinary legal education. He emphasized that real-case handling will help develop professional readiness and social responsibility, ensuring students graduate with industry-aligned dispute resolution skills.
This initiative will work alongside the upcoming Mahindra International Dispute Resolution Centre, which will serve as a comprehensive training hub for students and young legal professionals to manage real arbitration and mediation cases.
IIAM President Anil Xavier noted that the partnership is designed to transform law schools into active justice delivery hubs, enabling the public to resolve disputes outside traditional courts — making dispute resolution more accessible, faster, and cost-efficient.
Additionally, the centres will host institutional and ad-hoc arbitration hearings, conduct certified mediation and ADR training programmes, and help develop a qualified panel of student, faculty, and professional mediators and arbitrators.
Joint Academic and Research Initiatives
Mahindra University and IIAM will conduct workshops, seminars, training sessions, and collaborative research projects to advance the adoption and awareness of Alternative Dispute Resolution practices in India.
