INTRODUCTION

ADR is not immune from criticism. Some have seen in it a waste of time; others recognize the
risk that it be only initiated to check what is the minimum offer that the other party would
accept. he delay in disposal of cases in Law Courts, for whatever reason it may be, has really
defeated the purpose for which the people approach the Courts for their redressal. In many
parts of India, rapid development has meant increased caseloads for already overburdened
courts, further leading to notoriously slow adjudication.

As a result, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms have become more crucial for businesses
operating in India as well as those doing businesses with Indian firms. So Alternate Dispute
Resolution (herein after as ADR) is necessary as a substitute to existing methods of dispute
resolution such as litigation, conflict, violence and physical fights or rough handling of situations.
It is a movement with a drive from evolving positive approach and attitude towards resolving a
dispute.

In the subsequent parts of the paper we will discuss the evolution of ADR and its present
scenario in the Indian context.

HISTORY

In India, the law and practice of private and transactional commercial disputes without court
intervention can be dated back to ancient times. Arbitration or mediation as an alternative to
dispute resolution by municipal courts has been prevalent in India from Vedic times.

The earliest known treatise is the Bhradarnayaka Upanishad, in which various types of arbitral
bodies viz (i) the Puga (ii) the Sreni (iii) the Kula are referred to. These arbitral bodies, known
as Panchayats, dealt with variety of disputes, such as disputes of contractual, matrimonial and
even of a criminal nature. The disputants would ordinarily accept the decision of
the panchayat and hence a settlement arrived consequent to conciliation by
the panchayat would be as binding as the decision that was on clear legal obligations.

The Muslim rule in India saw the incorporation of the principles of Muslim law in the Indian
culture. Those laws were systematically compiled in the form of a commentary and came to be
known as Hedaya. During Muslim rule, all Muslims in India were governed by Islamic laws-
the Shari’ah as contained in the Hedaya. The Hedaya contains provisions for arbitration as well.

The Arabic word for arbitration is Tahkeem, while the word for an arbitrator is Hakam. An
arbitrator was required to posses the qualities essential for a Kazee– an official Judge presiding
over a court of law, whose decision was binding on the parties subject to legality and validity of
the award. The court has the jurisdiction to enforce such awards given under Shari’ah though it
is not entitled to review the merits of the dispute or the reasoning of the arbitrator.
ADR picked up pace in the country, with the coming of the East India Company. The British
government gave legislative form to the law of arbitration by promulgating regulations in the
three presidency towns: Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. Bengal Resolution Act, 1772 and Bengal
Regulation Act, 1781 provided parties to submit the dispute to the arbitrator, appointed after
mutual agreement and whose verdict shall be binding on both the parties. These remained in
force till the Civil Procedure Code 1859, and were extended in 1862 to the Presidency towns.

LEGISLATIONS OF ADR IN INDIA

The Code of Civil Procedure, 1859 in its sections 312 to 325 dealt with arbitration in suits while
sections 326 and 327 provided for arbitration without court intervention. The Code of Civil
Procedure (Act 5 of 1908) repealed the Act of 1882. The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 has laid
down that cases must be encouraged to go in for ADR under section 89(1). Under the First
Schedule, Order XXXII A, Rule 3 a duty is cast upon the courts that it shall make an endeavor to
assist the parties in the first instance, in arriving at a settlement in respect of the subject matter
of the suit.

The second schedule related to arbitration in suits while briefly providing arbitration without
intervention of a court. Order I, Rule 1 of the schedule says that where in any suit, all the parties
agree that any matter in difference between them shall be referred to arbitration, they may, at
any time before judgment is pronounced; apply to the court for an order of reference. This
schedule, in a way supplemented the provisions of the Arbitration Act of 1899.

Indian Arbitration Act, 1899:

This Act was substantially based on the British Arbitration Act of 1889. It expanded the area of
arbitration by defining the expression ‘submission’ to mean “a written agreement to submit
present and future differences to arbitration whether an arbitrator is named therein or not”.

Arbitration (Protocol and Convention) Act 1937:

The Geneva Protocol on Arbitration Clauses 1923 and the Geneva Convention on the Execution
of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1927 were implemented in India by the Arbitration (Protocol and
Convention) Act, 1937. This Act was enacted with the object of giving effect to the Protocol and
enabling the Convention to become operative in India.

The Arbitration Act of 1940:

The Arbitration Act, 1940, dealt with only domestic arbitration. Under the 1940 Act,
intervention of the court was required in all the three stages of arbitration in the tribunal, i.e.
prior to the reference of the dispute, in the duration of the proceedings, and after the award
was passed.
This Act made provision for- a) arbitration without court intervention; b) arbitration in suits i.e.
arbitration with court intervention in pending suits and c) arbitration with court intervention, in
cases where no suit was pending before the court.

Before an arbitral tribunal took cognizance of a dispute, court intervention was required to set
the arbitration proceedings in motion. The existence of an agreement and of a dispute was
required to be proved. During the course of the proceedings, the intervention of the court was
necessary for the extension of time for making an award.

Finally, before the award could be enforced, it was required to be made the rule of the
court. This Act did not fulfill the essential functions of ADR. The extent of Judicial Interference
under the Act defeated its very purpose It did not provide a speedy, effective and transparent
mechanism to address disputes arising out of foreign trade and investment transactions.

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996:

The government enacted the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 in an effort to modernize
the 1940 Act. In 1978, the UNCITRAL Secretariat, the Asian African Legal Consultative
Committee (AALCC), the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) and the
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) met for a consultative meeting, where the
participants were of the unanimous view that it would be in the interest of International
Commercial Arbitration if UNCITRAL would initiate steps leading to the establishment of
uniform standards of arbitral procedure.

The preparation of a Model Law on arbitration was considered the most appropriate way to
achieve the desired uniformity. The full text of this Model Law was adopted on 21 st June 1985 by
UNCITRAL. This is a remarkable legacy given by the United Nations to International Commercial
Arbitration, which has influenced Indian Law. In India, the Model Law has been adopted almost
in its entirety in the 1996 Act.

This Act repealed all the three previous statutes. Its primary purpose was to encourage
arbitration as a cost-effective and quick mechanism for the settlement of commercial disputes.
It covers both domestic arbitration and international commercial arbitration. It marked an
epoch in the struggle to find an alternative to the traditional adversarial system of litigation in
India.

The changes brought about by the 1996 Act were so drastic that the entire case law built up
over the previous fifty-six years on arbitration was rendered superfluous. Unfortunately, there
was no widespread debate and understanding of the changes before such an important
legislative change was enacted. The Government of India enacted the 1996 Act by an ordinance,
and then extended its life by another ordinance, before Parliament eventually passed it without
reference to Parliamentary Committee.
Arbitration, as practiced in India, instead of shortening the lifespan of the dispute resolution,
became one more “inning” in the game. Not only that, the arbitrator and the parties’ lawyers
treated arbitration as “extra time” or overtime work to be done after attending to court matters.
The result was that the normal session of an arbitration hearing was always for a short duration.
Absence of a full-fledged Arbitration Bar effectively prevented arbitrations being heard
continuously on day-to-day basis over the normal working hours, viz. 4-5 hours every day. This
resulted in elongation of the period for disposal.

Veerappa Moily also said in the ADR congress held in the year 2010 that the 1996 Act, although
modeled along international standards, has so far proved to be insufficient in meeting the needs
of the business community, for the speedy and impartial resolution of disputes in India.

The Law Commission of India prepared a report on the experience of the 1996 Act and
suggested a number of amendments. Based on the recommendations of the Commission, the
Government of India introduced the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2003, in the
Parliament. The standing committee of law ministry felt that provisions of the Bill gave room for
excessive intervention by the courts in arbitration proceedings.

MODES AND PRACTICES OF ADR IN INDIA

ADR can be broadly classified into two categories: court-annexed options (Mediation,
Conciliation) and community based dispute resolution mechanism (Lok-Adalat).

The following are the modes of ADR practiced in India:

1. Arbitration

2. Mediation

3. Conciliation

4. Negotiation

5. Lok Adalat

1. Arbitration:

The definition of ‘arbitration’ in section 2(1) (a) verbatim reproduces the text of article 2(a) of
the Model Law-‘arbitration means any arbitration whether or not administered by a permanent
arbitral institution’. It is a procedure in which the dispute is submitted to an arbitral tribunal
which makes a decision (an “award”) on the dispute that is binding on the parties.
It is a private, generally informal and non-judicial trial procedure for adjudicating disputes.
There are four requirements of the concept of arbitration: an arbitration agreement; a dispute;
a reference to a third party for its determination; and an award by the third party.

The essence lies in the point that it is a forum chosen by the parties with an intention that it
must act judicially after taking into account relevant evidence before it and the submission of
the parties. Hence it follows that if the forum chosen is not required to act judicially, the process
it is not arbitration.[

Types of arbitration are:

Ad Hoc Arbitration

An ad hoc arbitration is one which is not administered by an institution and therefore, the
parties are required to determine all aspects of the arbitration like the number of arbitrators,
manner of their appointment, etc. Provided the parties approach the arbitration in a spirit of
cooperation, ad hoc proceedings can be more flexible, cheaper and faster than an administered
proceeding. The advantage is that, it is agreed to and arranged by the parties themselves.
However, the ground realities show that arbitration in India, particularly ad hoc arbitration, is
becoming quite expensive vis-à-vis traditional litigation.

Institutional Arbitration

An institutional arbitration is one in which a specialized institution with a permanent character

Incorporation of book of rules in the “arbitration agreement” is one of the principle advantages
of institutional arbitration. Institutional Arbitration, throughout the world, is recognized as the
primary mode of resolution of international commercial disputes. It is an arbitration
administered by an arbitral institution

Further, in many arbitral institutions such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC),
before the award is finalized and given, an experienced panel scrutinizes it. As a result, the
possibilities of the court setting aside the award is minimal.

Statutory Arbitration

When a law specifies that if a dispute arises in a particular case it has to be referred to
arbitration, the arbitration proceedings are called “statutory arbitration”. Section 2(4) of the
Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 provides, with the exception of section 40(1), section 41
and section 43, that the provisions of Part I shall apply to every arbitration under any other act
for the time being in force in India.

Fast track arbitration

Fast track arbitration is a time-bound arbitration, with stricter rules of procedure, which do not
allow any laxity for extensions of time, and the resultant delays, and the reduced span of time
makes it more cost effective.[25] Sections 11(2) and 13(2) of the 1996 Act provides that the
parties are free to agree on a procedure for appointing an arbitrator and choose the fastest way
to challenge an arbitral award respectively. The Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) has pioneered
the concept of fast track arbitration in India and under its rules, parties may request the arbitral
tribunal to settle disputes within a fixed timeframe.

2. Mediation:

Mediation is a process in which the mediator, an external person, neutral to the dispute, works
with the parties to find a solution which is acceptable to all of them. The basic motive of
mediation is to provide the parties with an opportunity to negotiate, converse and explore
options aided by a neutral third party, to exhaustively determine if a settlement is possible.

Mediation is negotiation carried out with the assistance of a third party. The mediator, in
contrast to the arbitrator or judge, has no power to impose an outcome on disputing parties.

Despite the lack of ‘teeth’ in the mediation process, the involvement of a mediator alters the
dynamics of negotiations. The concept of mediation is not foreign to Indian legal system, as
there existed, different aspects of mediation.

The Village Panchayats and the Nyaya Panchayats are good examples for this. A brief perusal of
the laws pertaining to mediation highlights that it has been largely confined to commercial
transactions. The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 is framed in such a manner that it is
concerned mainly with commercial transactions that involves the common man rather than the
common man’s interest.

In India, mediation has not yet been very popular. One of the reasons for this is that mediation
is not a formal proceeding and it cannot be enforced by courts of law. There is a lack of initiative
on the part of the government or any other institutions to take up the cause of encouraging and
spreading awareness to the people at large.

3. Conciliation:

Conciliation is “a process in which a neutral person meets with the parties to a dispute which
might be resolved; a relatively unstructured method of dispute resolution in which a third party
facilitates communication between parties in an attempt to help them settle their differences”.
This consists in an attempt by a third party, designated by the litigants, to reconcile them either
before they resort to litigation (whether to court or arbitration), or after. The attempt to
conciliate is generally based on showing each side the contrary aspects of the dispute, in order
to bring each side together and to reach a solution.

Section 61 of the 1996 Act provides for conciliation of disputes arising out of legal relationship,
whether contractual or not and to all proceedings relating thereto. After its enactment, there
can be no objection, for not permitting the parties to enter into a conciliation agreement
regarding the settlement of even future disputes.

There is a subtle difference between mediation and conciliation. While in meditation, the third
party, neutral intermediary, termed as mediator plays more active role by giving independent
compromise formulas after hearing both the parties; in conciliation, the third neutral
intermediary’s role, is to bring the parties together in a frame of mind to forget their animosities
and be prepared for an acceptable compromise on terms midway between the stands taken
before the commencement of conciliation proceedings.

4. Negotiation:

Negotiation-communication for the purpose of persuasion-is the pre-eminent mode of dispute

Essentials of Negotiation are:

1. It is a communication process;

2. It resolves conflicts;

3. It is a voluntary exercise;

4. It is a non-binding process;

5. Parties retain control over outcome and procedure;

6. There is a possibility of achieving wide ranging solutions, and of maximizing joint gains.

In India, Negotiation doesn’t have any statutory recognition. Negotiation is self counseling
between the parties to resolve their dispute. Negotiation is a process that has no fixed rules but
follows a predictable pattern.

5. Lok Adalats:

Lok Adalat was a historic necessity in a country like India where illiteracy dominated other
aspects of governance. It was introduced in 1982 and the first Lok Adalat was initiated in
Gujarat. The evolution of this movement was a part of the strategy to relieve heavy burden on
courts with pending cases. It was the conglomeration of concepts of social justice, speedy
justice, conciliated result and negotiating efforts.

They cater the need of weaker sections of society. It is a suitable alternative mechanism to
resolve disputes in place of litigation. Lok Adalats have assumed statutory recognition under the
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. These are being regularly organized primarily by the State
Legal Aid and the Advice Boards with the help of District Legal Aid and Advice Committees.

Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987:

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 was brought into force on 19 November 1995. The
object of the Act was to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the
society to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen. The
concept of legal services which includes Lok Adalat is a revolutionary evolution of resolution of
disputes.

Though settlements were affected by conducting Lok Nyayalayas prior to this Act, the same has
not been given any statutory recognition. But under the new Act, a settlement arrived at in the
Lok Adalats has been given the force of a decree which can be executed through Court as if it is
passed by it. Sections 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the Act deal with Lok Adalat. Section 20 provides for
different situations where cases can be referred for consideration of Lok Adalat.

Honorable Delhi High court has given a landmark decision highlighting the significance of Lok
Adalat movement in the case of Abdul Hasan and National Legal Services Authority v. Delhi
Vidyut Board and Other.The court passed the order giving directions for setting up of permanent
Lok Adalats.

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING MECHANISMS

The evolution of ADR mechanisms was not of that much success. Thereby, the trend is the
imposition of responsibility and duty on Court

i) Courts are authorized to give directives for the adoption of ADR mechanisms by the parties
and for that purpose Court has to play important role by way of giving guidance. Power is also
conferred upon the courts so that it can intervene in different stages of proceedings. But these
goals cannot be achieved unless requisite infrastructure is provided and institutional frame work
is put to place.

ii) The institutional framework must be brought about at three stages, which are:

1. Awareness: It can be brought about by holding seminars, workshops, etc. ADR literacy
program has to be done for mass awareness and awareness camp should be to change
the mindset of all concerned disputants, the lawyers and judges.
 2. Acceptance: In this regard training of the ADR practitioners should be made by some
University together with other institutions. Extensive training would also be necessary to
be imparted to those who intend to act as a facilitator, mediators, and conciliators.
Imparting of training should be made a part of continuing education on different facets
of ADR so far as judicial officers and judges are concerned.

3. Implementation: For this purpose, judicial officers must be trained to identify cases
which would be suitable for taking recourse to a particular form of ADR.

iii) ADR Mechanisms to be made more viable: The inflow of cases cannot be stopped because
the doors of justice cannot be closed. But there is a dire need to increase the outflow either by
strengthening the capacity of the existing system or by way of finding some additional outlets.

iv)Setting up of Mediation Centres in all districts of each state with a view to mediate all
disputes will bring about a profound change in the Indian Legal system. These Mediation
centres would function with an efficient team of mediators who are selected from the local
community itself.

v) Not many Indians can afford litigation. This kind of state of affairs makes common people,
especially rural people, cynical about judicial process. We must take the ADR mechanism
beyond the cities. Gram Nyayalayas should process 60 to 70 percent of rural litigation leaving
the regular courts to devote their time to complex civil and criminal matters.

vi) More and more ADR centres should be created for settling disputes out-of-court. ADR
methods will achieve the objective of rendering social justice to the people, which is the goal of
a successful judicial system.

vii) The major lacuna in ADR is that it is not binding. One could still appeal against the award
or delay the implementation of the award. “Justice delayed is justice denied.” The very essence
of ADR is lost if it is not implemented in the true spirit. The award should be made binding on
the parties and no appeal to the court should be allowed unless it is arrived at fraudulently or if
it against public policy.

CONCLUSION

With the advent of the alternate dispute resolution, there is new avenue for the people to settle
their disputes. The settlement of disputes in Lok Adalat quickly has acquired good popularity
among the public and this has really given rise to a new force to ADR and this will no doubt
reduce the pendency in law Courts. There is an urgent need for justice dispensation through
ADR mechanisms.

The ADR movement needs to be carried forward with greater speed. This will considerably
reduce the load on the courts apart from providing instant justice at the door-step, without
substantial cost being involved. If they are successfully given effect then it will really achieve the
goal of rendering social justice to the parties to the dispute.

“I realized that the true fiction of a lawyer was to unite parties… A large part of my time
during the 20 years of my practice as a lawyer was occupied in bringing out private
compromise of hundreds of cases. I lost nothing thereby- not even money, certainly not my
soul.”

– Mahatma Gandhi