Chief Justice Surya Kant Opens Commonwealth Peace Mediation Conference

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant inaugurated the Commonwealth Peace Mediation Conference in Jaipur on July 31, 2026. Addressing delegates from 52 Commonwealth nations, the Chief Justice argued that mediation should be viewed as a complementary pillar of the rule of law rather than a mere alternative to litigation. He characterized peace as "one of law's finest achievements" and emphasized that the purpose of justice is to preserve relationships and understand the underlying interests of parties rather than simply adjudicating legal claims.

During the three-day event, Surya Kant highlighted the Mediation Act of 2023 as a statutory framework for voluntary and community mediation. He noted that mediation has evolved from resolving domestic disputes to facilitating agreements in corporate boardrooms for insurance companies and multinational corporations. He also advocated for strengthening local panchayats to ensure timely and dignified recourse to justice.

While promoting these tools, the Chief Justice cautioned against an over-reliance on artificial intelligence for dispute resolution, stating that technology cannot replicate human empathy. The conference, co-organized by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority and other legal bodies, is scheduled to conclude on August 2 with the adoption of the Jaipur Peace Mediation Declaration 2026. This follows a July 24 conference in New Delhi where Surya Kant previously discussed how arbitration and mediation prevent commercial disputes from hindering international trade.