Mediation
A neutral helps the parties negotiate their own agreement.
Alternative Dispute Resolution in India
Resolve your dispute without going to court
Learn how mediation, arbitration, conciliation, and other processes may apply to commercial, family, property, and other disputes.
- Plain-language guidance
- India-focused information
- Cross-border enquiry path
Cross-border matters
International and India-related disputes
A dispute may require Indian legal support when a contract, asset, counterparty, proceeding or arbitral award is connected with India. Visitors may request a response about international arbitration, cross-border commercial disputes and connected Indian court, regulatory or sector-specific matters.
Request a responseShare only a short, non-confidential summary. An enquiry does not create a lawyer-client relationship or confirm acceptance of a matter.
International arbitration and arbitral awards
India-connected arbitrations, award enforcement and challenge proceedings.
Cross-border contracts and commercial disputes
Supply, services, shareholder, joint-venture and other business disputes.
Proceedings involving foreign companies
Civil and commercial proceedings where a business, asset or counterparty is in India.
India-connected commercial and regulatory disputes
Assess whether a distinct contractual or commercial part has an available out-of-court route.
How disputes can be resolved
Six processes available in India — from informal negotiation to binding arbitration.
Arbitration
A neutral hears both sides and makes a binding private decision.
Conciliation
Neutral proposes terms both sides can accept.
Lok Adalat
A forum where eligible disputes may be resolved through settlement.
Online Dispute Resolution
Mediate or arbitrate from anywhere in India.
Negotiation
Direct settlement before formal process begins.
Resolve by dispute type
The right process depends on the nature of your dispute. Start here.
Resolving Commercial and Contract Disputes Without Going to Court
Business contract disputes — unpaid invoices, supplier breaches, service failures — can be resolved through mediation or arbitration. Learn which process fits, what it costs, and whether the outcome is binding.
Resolving Consumer and E-commerce Disputes Without Court
Consumer disputes — refunds, defective goods, delivery failures, online marketplace problems — can be resolved fast through online dispute resolution and mediation. Learn how it works, what it costs, and whether the outcome is binding.
Resolving Cross-Border Commercial Disputes Connected with India
India-connected international commercial disputes may involve arbitration, negotiated settlement, mediation, interim court measures, or enforcement against assets in India.
Resolving Family and Matrimonial Disputes Privately, Without Court
Divorce, custody, maintenance, and inheritance disputes can be resolved through confidential family mediation instead of a public court battle. Learn how it works, how children are protected, and whether the outcome is binding.
Enforcing a Foreign Arbitral Award in India
A qualifying New York Convention award may be enforced against an Indian party or assets under Part II, Sections 44–52 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
MSME Payment Recovery: Recover Delayed Payments Without Court
Qualifying micro and small suppliers may use the MSEFC statutory conciliation-arbitration route under the MSMED Act, 2006 for delayed-payment disputes.
Who we help
Guidance tailored to your situation — whether you are an individual, a business, or a family.
Individuals
Personal disputes, tenancy, consumer issues.
Families
Matrimonial, inheritance, and custody matters.
MSMEs
Payment recovery and commercial disputes.
NRIs
Cross-border property and family disputes.
Why consider mediation first
Mediation lets parties explore a negotiated outcome with the help of a neutral.
You control the outcome
No arbitrator or judge decides for you. You reach your own agreement — or you don't, and you remain free to pursue other options.
Relationship-preserving
Mediation is structured to produce workable agreements, not to assign blame. Parties who will keep dealing with each other can often preserve the relationship.
Tools to help you decide
Interactive tools that take your specific situation into account.
Which process is right for me?
Answer ten questions about your dispute and get a tailored recommendation — takes under two minutes.
ADR Cost Calculator
Estimate and compare what mediation, arbitration, and litigation would cost for your specific situation.
Timeline Comparator
See how long each process typically takes, from first session to final outcome.
Suitability Matrix
Compare all six processes across nine criteria — cost, speed, enforceability, confidentiality, and more.
Common questions
What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?
In mediation, the parties reach their own agreement with a neutral's help — the mediator does not decide anything. In arbitration, an arbitrator hears both sides and issues a binding decision (an award). Mediation is voluntary and preserves relationships; arbitration is adversarial and produces an imposed outcome.
How do I know which process is right for my dispute?
The right process depends on whether you need a binding outcome, how important speed and cost are, and whether the other party will agree to participate. Our process selector tool walks you through the key factors and gives you a tailored recommendation.
Can I use ADR if the other party refuses?
Mediation and conciliation require both parties' agreement. Arbitration can be compelled if your contract contains an arbitration clause — in that case, the other party cannot unilaterally avoid it. Without a clause, if the other side refuses all forms of ADR, litigation is the remaining route.
Does this website provide legal advice?
No. Mediate.co.in provides general information about dispute resolution processes in India. Nothing on this site is legal advice and using it does not create a lawyer-client relationship with anyone. For advice on your specific situation, consult a qualified professional.
Need to discuss an India-related dispute?
Share a short, non-confidential summary and your preferred way to be contacted. The enquiry is delivered directly through Mediate.co.in's existing email system.
General information only. Not legal advice.